U.S. patent application number 09/904878 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-03 for aerosol spray texturing devices.
Invention is credited to Stern, Donald J., Tryon, James A..
Application Number | 20020000454 09/904878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27396238 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020000454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stern, Donald J. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2002 |
Aerosol spray texturing devices
Abstract
An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like.
The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray
texture material. The spray texture material is released from the
can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a
discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The
apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed
over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional
area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or
tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other
member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The
outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached
directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway
is formed. By rotating, sliding, or otherwise moving the outlet
member relative to the actuator member, any one of the outlet
orifices in the outlet member can be arranged at the end of the
nozzle passageway to vary the effective cross-sectional area of the
discharge opening.
Inventors: |
Stern, Donald J.; (Portland,
OR) ; Tryon, James A.; (Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL R. SCHACHT
HUGHES & SCHACHT, PLLC
2801 MERIDIAN STREET, SUITE 1
BELLINGHAM
WA
98225
US
|
Family ID: |
27396238 |
Appl. No.: |
09/904878 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09904878 |
Jul 11, 2001 |
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09659886 |
Sep 12, 2000 |
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6276570 |
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09659886 |
Sep 12, 2000 |
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09407807 |
Sep 28, 1999 |
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6116473 |
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09407807 |
Sep 28, 1999 |
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08626834 |
Apr 2, 1996 |
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5715975 |
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08626834 |
Apr 2, 1996 |
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08321559 |
Oct 12, 1994 |
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5524798 |
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08321559 |
Oct 12, 1994 |
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08238471 |
May 5, 1994 |
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5409148 |
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08238471 |
May 5, 1994 |
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07840795 |
Feb 24, 1992 |
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5310095 |
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08238471 |
May 5, 1994 |
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08216155 |
Mar 22, 1994 |
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5450983 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.1 ;
239/393; 239/394 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/7532 20130101;
B65D 83/663 20130101; B05B 1/34 20130101; B05B 1/02 20130101; B05D
5/061 20130101; B65D 83/30 20130101; B65D 83/60 20130101; B65D
83/303 20130101; B05D 1/02 20130101; B65D 83/20 20130101; B65D
83/52 20130101; B05B 1/12 20130101; B05B 1/1645 20130101; B65D
83/44 20130101; B05B 1/1654 20130101; B65D 83/752 20130101; B65D
83/46 20130101; B65D 83/753 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/402.1 ;
239/393; 239/394 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of dispensing coating material to form a coating on a
surface such that the coating defines an actual pattern that
substantially matches a desired pattern, the method comprising the
steps of: providing an aerosol assembly comprising a container, a
valve assembly, and an actuator member, where the aerosol assembly
defines an outlet opening and an effective cross-sectional area of
the outlet opening defines the actual pattern; placing texture
material into the container; placing propellant material into the
container such that, when the actuator member is depressed, the
valve assembly is placed into an open configuration in which the
propellant may force the coating material out of the container
through the outlet opening in the aerosol assembly; altering the
effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening to obtain a
desired cross-sectional area, where the desired cross-sectional
area corresponds to the desired pattern; and depressing the
actuator member to dispense the coating material from the outlet
opening and onto the surface in the actual pattern such that the
actual pattern substantially matches the desired pattern.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, in which: the step of providing
the aerosol assembly comprises the step of providing a plurality of
tube members each having a bore formed therein, where the bores
define the outlet opening and each bore has a cross-sectional area
predetermined to correspond to one of a plurality of desired
patterns; and the step of altering the effective cross-sectional
area of the outlet opening comprises the steps of selecting one of
the tube members, and arranging the selected tube member such that
coating material flowing out of the aerosol assembly flows through
the bore of the selected tube member before being deposited onto
the surface.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, in which: the step of providing
the aerosol assembly comprises the step of providing an outlet
member defining a plurality of bores, where the bores define the
outlet opening and each bore has a cross-sectional area
predetermined to correspond to one of a plurality of desired
patterns; and the step of altering the effective cross-sectional
area of the outlet opening comprises the steps of selecting one of
the bores, and arranging the selected bore such that coating
material flowing out of the aerosol assembly flows through the
selected bore before being deposited onto the surface.
4. A method as recited in claim 3, in which: the step of providing
the aerosol assembly further comprises the step of forming an
actuator opening in the actuator member such that the coating
material forced out of the container passes through the actuator
opening; and the step of altering the effective cross-sectional
area of the outlet opening comprises the steps of rotatably
attaching the outlet member to the actuator member, and rotating
the outlet member relative to the actuator member such that the
selected bore is aligned with the actuator opening.
5. A method as recited in claim 1, in which: the step of providing
the aerosol assembly further comprises the step of providing a
plurality of restriction members; and the step of altering the
effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening comprises the
steps of selecting one of the plurality of restriction members, and
attaching the selected restriction member to the outlet
assembly.
6. A method as recited in claim 5, in which the step of attaching
the selected restriction member to the outlet assembly comprises
the steps of: attaching a tube member to the actuator member, where
the tube member defines a bore; and attaching the selected
restriction member to the tube member.
7. A method as recited in claim 1, in which: the step of providing
the aerosol assembly comprises the step of providing a deformable
tube member having a bore formed therein, where the bore defines
the outlet opening and deforming the tube member alters the
cross-sectional area of the outlet opening; and the step of
altering the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening
comprises the steps of deforming the tube member such that the
cross-sectional area of the outlet opening corresponds to one of a
continuum of desired texture patterns; and arranging the tube
member such that coating material flowing out of the aerosol
assembly flows through the bore of the tube member before being
deposited onto the surface.
8. A method as recited in claim 7, in which the steps of: providing
the aerosol assembly comprises the step of providing a collar
member; movably mounting the collar member relative to the actuator
member such that moving the collar member in a predetermined
fashion alters an effective distance between the collar member and
the actuator member; and engaging the collar member and the tube
member such that moving the collar member in the predetermined
fashion deforms the tube member.
9. A method as recited in claim 8, in which: the step of providing
the aerosol assembly comprises the steps of forming a first
threaded surface on the collar member, and forming a second
threaded surface on the aerosol assembly that is fixed relative to
the actuator member; and the step of movably mounting the collar
member relative to the actuator member comprises the steps of
engaging the first and second threaded surfaces, and rotating the
collar member.
10. A method as recited in claim 8, in which: the step of providing
the aerosol assembly comprises the steps of forming a detent
projection on the collar member, and forming a notched surface on
the aerosol assembly that is fixed relative to the actuator member;
and the step of movably mounting the collar member relative to the
actuator member comprises the steps of engaging the detent
projection with the notched surface, and sliding the collar member
such that the detent projection engages the notched surface to fix
the collar member at one of a plurality of locations relative to
the actuator member.
11. A system for dispensing coating material to form a coating on a
surface such that the coating defines an actual pattern that
substantially matches a desired pattern, the system comprising: an
aerosol assembly comprising a container, a valve assembly, and an
actuator member, where the aerosol assembly defines an outlet
opening and an effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening
defines the actual pattern; texture material within the container;
propellant material within the container, where, when the actuator
member is depressed, the valve assembly is placed into an open
configuration in which the propellant may force the coating
material out of the container through the outlet opening in the
aerosol assembly; a cross-sectional area altering structure for
altering the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening
to obtain a desired cross-sectional area, where the desired
cross-sectional area corresponds to the desired pattern; whereby
depressing the actuator member dispenses the coating material from
the outlet opening and onto the surface in the actual pattern such
that the actual pattern substantially matches the desired
pattern.
12. A system as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a
plurality of tube members each having a bore formed therein, where
the bores define the outlet opening and each bore has a
cross-sectional area predetermined to correspond to one of a
plurality of desired patterns; whereby a selected one of the tube
members is arranged such that coating material flowing out of the
aerosol assembly flows through the bore of the selected tube member
before being deposited onto the surface.
13. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising: an outlet
member defining a plurality of bores, where each bore has a
cross-sectional area predetermined to correspond to one of a
plurality of desired patterns; whereby the outlet member is
arranged such that a selected one of the bores defines the outlet
opening; and coating material flowing out of the aerosol assembly
flows through the selected bore before being deposited onto the
surface.
14. A method as recited in claim 13, in which: an actuator opening
is formed in the actuator member such that the coating material
forced out of the container passes through the actuator opening,
the system further comprising; and the outlet member is rotatably
attached to the actuator member such that rotating the outlet
member relative to the actuator member aligns the selected bore
with the actuator opening.
15. A system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a plurality
of restriction members, where a selected one of the plurality of
restriction members is attached to the outlet assembly.
16. A system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a tube
member attached to the actuator member, where the tube member
defines a bore and the selected restriction member is attached to
the tube member.
17. A system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a
deformable tube member having a bore formed therein, where the bore
defines the outlet opening and deforming the tube member alters the
cross-sectional area of the outlet opening; whereby the tube member
is deformed such that the cross-sectional area of the outlet
opening corresponds to one of a continuum of desired texture
patterns; and the tube member is arranged such that coating
material flowing out of the aerosol assembly flows through the bore
of the tube member before being deposited onto the surface.
18. A system as recited in claim 17, in which the steps of:
providing the aerosol assembly comprises the step of providing a
collar member; movably mounting the collar member relative to the
actuator member such that moving the collar member in a
predetermined fashion alters an effective distance between the
collar member and the actuator member; and engaging the collar
member and the tube member such that moving the collar member in
the predetermined fashion deforms the tube member.
19. A system as recited in claim 18, in which: a first threaded
surface is formed on the collar member, and a second threaded
surface is formed on the aerosol assembly; wherein the second
threaded surface is fixed relative to the actuator member; and the
first and second threaded surfaces are engaged such that rotating
the collar member moves the collar member relative to the actuator
member.
20. A method as recited in claim 18, in which: a detent projection
is formed on the collar member; and a notched surface is formed on
the aerosol assembly; wherein the notched surface is fixed relative
to the actuator member; and the detent projection engages the
notched surface, where the collar member slides such that the
detent projection engages the notched surface to fix the collar
member at one of a plurality of locations relative to the actuator
member.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/659,886,
Sep. 12, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/407,807, Sep. 28, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,473, which is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 08/626,834, Apr. 2, 1996, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,715,975, which is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 08/321,559, Oct. 12, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,798, which
is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/238,471, May
5, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,148, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 07/840,795, Feb. 24, 1992, U.S. Pat. No.
5,310,095 and application Ser. No. 08/216,155, Mar. 22, 1994, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,450,983, the subject matter of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to the art of spray texturing,
and more particularly to an apparatus and method by which spray
texturing can be accomplished to provide spray patterns of varying
texture (i.e. with either finer or more coarse particle size).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] When drywall panels are installed in a building, and the
seams taped, prior to painting the wall surface, there is often
applied a spray texture, which is followed by painting. The spray
texture will provide a desirable background pattern, and also
obscure some of the seams that might appear in the drywall
surface.
[0004] There are in the prior art various spray texturing tools or
devices which utilize pressurized air to spray the texture material
onto the wall surface. Some of these use compressed air as the
gaseous medium to spray the textured material, with the pressurized
air being derived from a remote source that feeds the air through a
hose to the tool. There are also tools which are totally handheld,
with the pressurized air being produced by manually reciprocating
the piston of an air pump that is built into the tool.
[0005] When an existing drywall surface is being repaired, quite
often a small section of drywall will be removed and another piece
of drywall put in its place. The seams of this piece of drywall
must then be taped, and (if the surrounding surface is textured)
then have a texture surface treatment that would make it match with
the surrounding drywall surface. It is, of course, desirable to
have the spray pattern on the patch match that of the surrounding
surface.
[0006] Also, when a rather small "patch" of drywall is to be spray
textured, there is the matter of convenience. One approach has been
simply to provide the spray texture material in an aerosol can, and
the textured material is dispensed directly from the can to be
sprayed onto the drywall surface. However, one of the
considerations is how this can be accomplished in a manner to
provide proper matching of the texture with that which is on the
surrounding drywall.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,011 (Woods) discloses such an aerosol
texture spraying device where the spray texture material is
dispensed directly from the nozzle of the aerosol can. In a
commercial embodiment of a device such as this, when there is
higher pressure in the container, there is a relatively fine spray
pattern. For a more coarse pattern (i.e. with larger particle
sizes), the can is inverted and the nozzle depressed to dispense a
certain amount of the propellant gas for a few seconds. Then the
can is turned upright and the spray texture material dispensed at a
lower pressure to provide the spray pattern with larger particle
sizes.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,095 issued to the present Applicant
discloses an apparatus for discharging a spray texture material
through a nozzle means having a nozzle discharge opening to
dispense this material. There is further provided a first delivery
tube means having a first discharge passageway of a first
predetermined cross-sectional area. The material discharge
apparatus is operated to cause the textured material to be
discharged through the tube means. Then a second discharge tube
means is positioned to receive material from the discharge nozzle
means, and this second tube means has a second discharge passageway
with a second predetermined cross-sectional area different from the
first cross-sectional area. Thus, the '095 patent disclosed
obtaining a finer spray pattern by utilizing a tube means with a
passageway having a lesser cross-sectional area and a coarse
pattern by discharging said material through the tube means having
a greater cross-sectional area.
[0009] A primary problem with the method disclosed in the '095
patent is that a plurality of parts must be manufactured, shipped,
sold, assembled and stored by the end user in order to maintain the
capability of the product to create different texture patterns.
[0010] With the '095 patent, three straws must be sold in
connection with the aerosol can. While this method is quite
inexpensive from a manufacturing point of view, the shipping and
sale of the product are somewhat complicated by the need to attach
the three straws to the aerosol can. Further, the end user must
install the straws into the actuating member of the aerosol can;
this is difficult to accomplish without depressing the actuating
member and discharging some of the texture material. Also, after
the product disclosed in the '095 patent is used, the user must
store the straws such that they are easily available when
needed.
[0011] Accordingly, the need exists for a spray texturing device
that is easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture, does not require
user assembly, and does not require the shipment and storage of a
plurality of parts.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] From the foregoing, it should be apparent that one object of
the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for
applying spray texture material to a patch in a wall or the
like.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
spray texturing apparatus having a favorable balance of the
following characteristics:
[0014] a. inexpensively manufactured;
[0015] b. does not require manufacture, shipment, sale, and storage
of an excessive number of separate components; and
[0016] c. obviates the need for the end user to assemble several
parts together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention is a system or method that allows an
operator to apply texture to a surface in a desired texture pattern
that substantially matches a pre-existing texture pattern. The
system/method of the present invention employs an aerosol container
with an internal valve assembly and structure that defines an
outlet opening through which texture material passes as the texture
material is dispensed. A primary feature of the present invention
is that the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening can be
changed to alter the texture pattern. The structure that allows the
cross-sectional area to be changed can either allow a discrete
number of cross-sectional areas or can be a continuous structure
that allows an infinite number of cross-sectional areas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a preferred
embodiment of the present invention applying a spray texture
material to a patch on a drywall surface;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along 3-3 of FIG. 2, this
being done to illustrate the inside diameter of the discharge tube
which is made relatively small to provide a spray texture pattern
of a more fine particle size;
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates somewhat schematically a spray texture
pattern in a wall surface which has relative fine particle
size.
[0022] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, with
[0023] FIG. 5 showing a discharge passageway of a larger inside
diameter, and
[0024] FIG. 6 showing the spray pattern with a larger particle
size;
[0025] FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively,
with
[0026] FIG. 7 showing the cross section of a discharge tube of yet
larger inside diameter for the flow passageway, and
[0027] FIG. 8 showing the spray pattern with a yet larger particle
size;
[0028] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 correspond to, respectively, FIGS. 3, 5
and 7 and show a different arrangement of discharge tubes where the
outside diameter varies;
[0029] FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate the apparatus having tubes 24
of different lengths;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the apparatus as shown
being positioned closer to or further from a wall surface.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken through the
dispensing head of the aerosol container, with this plane being
coincident with the lengthwise axis of the dispensing tube and the
vertical axis of the dispensing head, showing only the discharge
orifice portion of the dispensing head, and further with the
smaller inside diameter tube shown in FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the
dispensing head having the medium inside diameter tube of FIG. 5
positioned therein;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIGS. 16 and 17, but showing
the dispensing tube of FIG. 7 having the largest inside diameter,
as shown in FIG. 7;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray
texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines 20-20
in FIG. 19;
[0036] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray
texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 22 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines 22-22
in FIG. 21;
[0038] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray
texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 24 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines 24-24
in FIG. 23;
[0040] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray
texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 26 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines 26-26
in FIG. 25;
[0042] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray
texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 28 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines 28-28
in FIG. 27;
[0044] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another exemplary spray
texturing apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 30 is a partial cut-away view taken along lines 30-30
in FIG. 29;
[0046] FIG. 31A depicts an isometric view of a spray texturing
apparatus constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the
principles of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 31B is a section view taken along lines 31b-31b in FIG.
31A;
[0048] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary
embodiment of an aerosol texture material dispensing apparatus;
[0049] FIG. 33A is a perspective view showing a portion of a
discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 33B are section views taken along lines 33b in FIG.
33A;
[0051] FIG. 34A is a section view depicting yet another exemplary
discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 34B is a perspective view showing one component of the
discharge assembly shown in FIG. 34A;
[0053] FIG. 35 is a section view showing yet another discharge
assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0054] FIGS. 36A and 36B are section views showing yet another
exemplary embodiment of a discharge assembly constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 37A is a section view showing still another exemplary
discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 37B is a perspective view showing one member of the
assembly shown in FIG. 37A;
[0057] FIG. 38A is a section view of yet another exemplary
discharge assembly;
[0058] FIG. 38B is a front view of one of the components of the
discharge assembly shown in FIG. 38A;
[0059] FIG. 39A is a section view showing yet another exemplary
discharge assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0060] FIG. 39B is a front view showing one component of the
discharge assembly shown in FIG. 39A;
[0061] FIG. 40 is a section view of yet another exemplary discharge
assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 41 depicts a discharge member constructed in accordance
with the present invention;
[0063] FIGS. 42A and 42B are section views showing the details of
construction and operation of yet another exemplary discharge
assembly;
[0064] FIGS. 43A and 43B are section views showing the construction
and operation of a discharge assembly constructed in accordance
with the principles of th present invention;
[0065] FIG. 44 is a section view showing yet another exemplary
discharge assembly adapted to dispense texture material on a
ceiling surface or the like;
[0066] FIG. 45 is a section view showing a discharge assembly
adapted to apply texture material to upper regions of a wall or a
ceiling or the like;
[0067] FIG. 46 is an isometric view showing yet another discharge
assembly constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the
principles of the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 47 is a front view showing a number of possible
passageway configurations constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
[0069] FIG. 48 is a section view of yet another discharge assembly
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0070] FIGS. 49 and 50 are section views of discharge members
adapted to apply texture material to a wall region or a ceiling
while still using a conventional discharge member;
[0071] FIG. 51 depicts a somewhat schematic view showing an
assembly comprising an aerosol container and a supplemental
container adapted to maintain the pressure within the aerosol
container at a desired level to provide a consistent texture
pattern in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0072] In FIG. 1, there is shown the apparatus 10 of the present
invention being used in spraying the texture material onto a
section of wallboard 12 having a previously sprayed surface portion
14 surrounding an unsprayed portion 16 which could be, for example,
a more recently applied piece of wallboard that serves as a
"patch". The spray itself is indicated at 18, and the spray
material deposited on the wall portion 16 as a sprayed texture is
indicated at 20.
[0073] With reference to FIG. 2, the present invention is shown, in
one exemplary form, incorporated with an aerosol spray containing
device 22, the basic design of which is or may be conventional in
the prior art. Used in combination with this container 22 is a
dispensing tube 24. It has been found by utilizing this dispensing
tube 24 in particular arrangements to discharge the spray texture
material, more precise control of the spray texture pattern can be
achieved. Further, there are other advantages, in that not only is
a more controllable spray pattern achieved, but this consistency of
the spray pattern can be accomplished for a relatively long period
of use. In other words, even after a substantial amount of the
spray texture material has been already discharged from the aerosol
dispensing container 22, the spray pattern remains rather
consistent. The manner in which this is achieved will be described
more fully later herein.
[0074] It is recognized that in the prior art tubular members have
been used in combination with an aerosol spray can to deliver a
material, such as a lubricant. To the best knowledge of the
applicants, however, this use has been primarily to enable the
aerosol container to deliver the fluid, such as a lubricating oil,
to a somewhat inaccessible location, and not to achieve the ends of
the present invention.
[0075] In the following detailed description of the invention, a
number of embodiments of the present invention are described. These
embodiments illustrate the present invention incorporates two
features that may be used singly or together. These two features
are the use of an elongate passageway through which texture
material may pass before it exits an aerosol device and the use of
a plurality of outlet orifice configurations, where by outlet
orifice has a different cross-sectional area for each of the
configurations. The technical advantages obtained by these features
will be described in detail below.
[0076] The embodiments of the present invention described in this
application illustrate that a given embodiment can contain one or
both of these features and that these features can be implemented
in a variety of different configurations.
[0077] Accordingly, the present application illustrates that, for a
given set of design criteria, the designer has significant
flexibility to construct an aerosol device for dispensing texture
material that accomplishes the design goals inherent in the set of
criteria.
[0078] To return to our description of the aerosol dispensing
device 22, as indicated above, the basic design is or may be
conventional. As shown herein, the device 22 comprises a
cylindrical container 26 and a dispensing nozzle member 28
positioned at the top of the container 26. As is common in the
prior art, this dispensing member 28 in its upright position blocks
flow of material from the container 26. This dispensing member 28
is attached to a downwardly extending stem 30, and when the member
28 is depressed, a valve opens within the container 22 so that the
material in the container 22 flows upwardly through the stem 30 and
laterally out a nozzle formed in the dispensing nozzle member 28.
Since the manner in which this is achieved is well known in the
prior art, this will not be described in detail herein.
[0079] Reference is now made to FIGS. 16 through 18, and it can be
seen that the stem 30 provides a passageway 32 through which the
spray texture material flows upwardly, and then is directed
laterally to be discharged through a lateral nozzle opening 34. The
passageway 32 and nozzle 34 can have their dimensions and
configuration optimized for proper performance, and the manner in
which this is done is also known in the prior art.
[0080] In the present invention, the nozzle member 28 is provided
with a counterbore 36 having a moderately enlarged diameter,
relative to the diameter of the nozzle opening 34. Both the nozzle
opening 34 and the counter-bore 36 have a cylindrical
configuration. The dispensing tube 24 has an outside diameter so
that its end portion is able to fit snugly within the counterbore
36, with the end surface of the tube 34 bearing against the
forwardly facing annular shoulder 38 defined by the counterbore 36
with the nozzle opening 34.
[0081] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
plurality of dispensing tubes 24 are provided, and in the present
embodiment, there are three such tubes, 24a, 24b and 24c. It can be
seen from examining FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 (and also FIGS. 16, 17 and 18)
that the outside diameter of all three tubes 24a, 24b, and 24c have
the same outside diameter, but different inside diameters for the
discharge passageway 40.
[0082] It has been found that by selecting different diameters for
the discharge passageway 40, the spray texture pattern can be
controlled more accurately. With the smaller diameter 40a of the
discharge tube 24a, shown in FIG. 3, a relatively fine spray
texture pattern can be achieved, as shown in FIG. 4, where the
particles of spray texture material are of a small particle size,
as shown in the wall section 42a.
[0083] In FIG. 5, the interior discharge passageway 40b is of a
more intermediate size, and this results in a discharge pattern
which has a somewhat larger particle size, as shown in the wall
section 42b. Then, with the yet larger diameter discharge opening
40c, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the wall section 42c having a spray
texture pattern with a yet larger particle size. The particles of
the board section 42a, 42b, and 42c are designated as,
respectively, 44a, 44b and 44c.
[0084] With regard to the spray texture material itself, if has
been found that quite desirable results can be achieved where the
basic composition of the spray texture material comprises a resin
or resins, particulate filler material and a propellant. Also,
there is a solvent, and desirably dryers to accelerate the drying
reaction of the resin with oxygen.
[0085] More specifically, the resin or resins desirably comprise
alkyd resins, and more specifically those which are generally
called bodying alkyds or puffing alkyds.
[0086] Such alkyds are sometimes used for what are called
"architectural coatings". The resins are made somewhat more
gelatinous than would be used in other applications, this depending
upon the spray characteristics that are desired. If the alkyd
resins are made more gelatinous or viscous, a coarser spray pattern
would be expected for a particular set of conditions.
[0087] The particulate filler material desirably has various
particle sizes, and this can be a filler material or materials
which are well known in the prior art, such as calcium carbonate,
silica, talc, wollastonite, various types of pigments, etc.
[0088] The propellant is desirably a liquefied hydrocarbon gas,
with this liquefied gas being dispersed throughout the texture
material composition, such as being dissolved therein or otherwise
dispersed therein. The propellant is characterized that under the
higher pressure within the container the propellant remains
dispersed or dissolved as a liquid throughout the spray texture
material, and upon release of pressure, the propellant begins going
back to its gaseous form to act as a propellant and push the
material up the stem passageway 32 and out the nozzle opening
34.
[0089] The solvent is desirably aromatic and/or aliphatic
hydrocarbons, ketones, etc.
[0090] The dryer or dryers would normally be metallic dryer, such
as various metal salts. These are already well known in the art, so
these will not be described in detail herein.
[0091] It has been found that this type of texture material can be
sprayed by using the present invention to provide a reasonably
consistent spray texture for a given configuration of the tube 24.
Also, it has been found that this consistency of spray pattern can
be accomplished throughout the discharge of the great majority of
the spray texture material within the container 26.
[0092] With regard to the particular dimensions utilized in this
preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to
FIGS. 16 through 18. The diameter "d" of the nozzle orifice 34 is
in this particular embodiment 0.102 inch, and the diameter of the
counter-bore (indicated at "e") is 0.172 inch; the diameter "f" of
the passageway 40a (i.e. the smallest diameter passageway) is 0.050
inch; the diameter "9" of the intermediate sized passageway 40b
(see FIG. 17) is 0.095 inch; and the diameter "h" of the largest
tube passageway 40c is 0.145 inch.
[0093] Thus, it can be seen in the arrangements of FIGS. 16 through
18 that in FIG. 16, there is a substantial reduction in the
cross-sectional area of the passageway 40a, with this having about
one half the diameter of the nozzle opening 34, so that the
passageway area 40a is about one quarter of the nozzle opening
34.
[0094] In the intermediate size of FIG. 17, the diameter and
cross-sectional area of the passageway 40b (indicated at "g") is
nearly the same as that of the nozzle 34.
[0095] In FIG. 18, the diameter of the passageway 40c (indicated at
"h") is slightly less than one and one half of the nozzle opening
34, and the cross sectional area is about twice as large.
[0096] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show an alternative form of the tubes
24a-c, and these tubes in FIGS. 9 through 11 (designated 24a', 24b'
and 24c') have the same internal passageway cross-sectional area as
the passageways 24a, 24b and 24c, respectively, but the outside
diameter of these are made smaller, relative to the passageway
size. If there is such varying outside diameters, then a plurality
of mounting collars could be used, with these having consistent
outside diameters, but varying inside diameters to fit around at
least the smaller tubes of FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0097] FIGS. 12 through 14 are simply shown to illustrate that the
length of the tube 24 can be varied. It has been found that a
rather desirable length of the tube 24 is approximately four
inches. While a longer tube length could be used, in general there
is no particular advantage in doing so since the proper consistency
can be obtained with a tube of about four inches. Also, experiments
have indicated that the length of the tube 24 can be reduced lower
than four inches, possibly to two inches and even as low as one
inch) without causing any substantial deterioration of the
consistency and quality of the formation of the spray pattern.
However, it has been found that somewhat more consistent results
can be obtained if the length of the tube 24 is greater than one
inch and at least as great or greater than two inches.
[0098] A tube length as short as one half inch has been tried, and
this is able to provide a substantial improvement of performance
over what would have been obtained simply by discharging the spray
texture directly from the nozzle opening 34, without any tube,
relative to controlling spray pattern. The shorter tube 24 (as
small as one half inch) provides a significant benefit, but not the
full benefit of the longer tube 24. The very short tube (e.g. one
half inch) has a lesser quality of performance when used with the
larger diameter passageway 40 than with the smaller passageway.
[0099] FIG. 15 illustrates that the texture pattern can also be
controlled to some extent by moving the apparatus 10 closer to or
farther away from the wall surface. If the apparatus 10 is moved
rather close to the wall surface, the density of the applied
material is increased for a given time of exposure. It has been
found that in general satisfactory results can be obtained if the
apparatus 10 is held approximately three feet from the wall
surface. However, this will depend upon a number of factors, such
as the pressure provided by the propellant, the character of the
spray texture material, and other factors.
[0100] To describe now the operation of the present invention, an
aerosol dispensing device 22 is provided as described previously
herein with the spray texture material contained within the can 26
at a desired pressure. As is common with aerosol cans, it is
desirable to shake the device 22 for a few seconds prior to
depressing the nozzle control member 28.
[0101] If a relatively fine texture is desired, then a smaller
diameter tube such as at 24a is used. For spray texture patterns
having larger particle size, the larger diameter tube is used.
[0102] The person directs the nozzle opening 34 and the tube 24
toward the wall surface to be sprayed and depresses the nozzle
member 28. As the spray texture material is discharged, the
container 26 is moved back and forth and is tilted to different
angles to spray the desired area.
[0103] As indicated earlier, it has been found that not only can a
"fineness" or "coarseness" (i.e. smaller particle size or larger
particle size, respectively) be controlled with reasonable
precision by the present invention, but this consistency of the
spraying pattern can be maintained throughout the discharge of the
great majority of the spray material within the container 26. While
these phenomena are not totally understood, it is believed that the
following can be reasonably hypothesized to provide at least a
partial explanation.
[0104] First, the separation of the texture material into particles
of smaller or larger size is due in part to the character of the
material itself, and also due in part to the way the forces are
exerted on the material to tend to break it up into particles. More
particularly, it can be hypothesized that if there is a greater
shear force tending to separate the particles, it would be expected
that there would be a finer pattern.
[0105] It is also recognized that when a fluid is moving through a
conduit or tube, there is commonly what is called a velocity
gradient along a transverse cross section of the flow of material.
More precisely, the material immediately adjacent to the wall
surface may have a very low velocity or practically no velocity.
The adjacent material just a small distance away from the wall will
have a somewhat greater velocity, but will still be retarded
significantly due to the shear force provided by the material that
is closer to the wall surface. As the cross section of the liquid
material is analyzed closer toward the center, the shear force
becomes less and the velocity becomes more uniform.
[0106] With the foregoing in mind, it also has to be recognized
that if the diameter of the tube or conduit is reduced by one half,
the cross-sectional area is reduced by one quarter. Thus, for the
smaller tube (i.e. one half diameter) the surface area that
provides a retarding force is doubled relative to the volume of
flow at the same velocity). This would indicate that for a given
cross-sectional segment of the fluid material being discharged,
there is relatively greater shear force exerted for the smaller
inside diameter tube. This would lead to the conclusion that for
the discharge of a given amount of fluid at a certain velocity and
at the same pressure, there would be a smaller particle size than
if a tube of greater inside diameter were used.
[0107] Another phenomenon to be considered is with regard to the
pressure which is forcing the textured material out of the tube 24.
It can be surmised that if the pressure is greater, the velocity of
the material traveling through the tube 24 would be greater, so
that the shear forces exerted on the texture material would be
greater so that smaller particle sizes would result.
[0108] It can be seen in FIG. 16 that the relatively small diameter
passageway 40a serves as a restriction for the material flowing out
the nozzle 34. This would tend to cause the velocity of the
material flowing up the stem passageway 32 and out the nozzle
opening 34 to decrease to some extent, but to have a relatively
higher velocity out the passageway 40a. Further, it can be expected
that the pressure of the propelling gas in the passageway 40a would
be somewhat higher than if a larger diameter passageway such as 40b
or 40c were utilized.
[0109] Experimental results using different size tubes seem to
verify this conclusion.
[0110] In FIG. 17, the diameter and cross-sectional area of the
passageway 40b is nearly the same as that of the nozzle opening 34.
Therefore it can be surmised that the velocity and pressure in the
passageway 40b would be somewhat less than in the passageway 40a,
this resulting in a somewhat larger particle size, and also a
somewhat lower discharge velocity. Experimental results have
verified this also.
[0111] Finally, with reference to FIG. 18, when the passageway
diameter is larger than that of the nozzle opening 34 (as it is
with the passageway 40c), it can be expected that the fluid
discharged from the nozzle 34 would have a lower velocity and that
there would be a lower propelling force provided by the propellant.
Experimental results have indicated that this results in the
coarser particle size.
[0112] However, it has to be recognized that while the above
hypothesis can be proposed with reasonable justification, there are
likely other phenomena involved which the applicants are either not
aware of or have not fully evaluated. For example, with the
propellant being disbursed in (and presumably dissolved in) the
texture composition, it can be surmised that this propellant
continues to go out of solution or dispersion into its gaseous form
and expand to provide the propellant force, and this continues as
the quantity of texture material continues to be reduced. This may
also have a desirable effect on the formation of the particles and
of the particle size, relative to consistency.
[0113] Nevertheless, regardless of the accuracy or correctness of
the above explanations, it has been found that the spray pattern
(and more particularly the particle size of the spray pattern) can
be achieved with greater consistency and within relatively greater
limits of particle size, than the prior art devices known to the
applicants. Further, the consistency of the spray pattern can be
maintained for the discharge of a large proportion of spray texture
material from the apparatus 10.
[0114] It is to be recognized, of course, that various relative
dimensions could be changed without departing from the basic
teachings of the present invention. For example, it has been found
that with spray texture material of a character which are
acceptable in present day use, that a range of tube inside
diameters of approximately one half of a tenth of an inch to one
and one half tenth of an inch would give a reasonable range of
texture spray patterns. However, it can be surmised that tube
diameters outside of this range (e.g. one quarter of a tenth of an
inch to possibly as high as one quarter of an inch would also
provide acceptable texture spray patterns, depending upon a variety
of circumstances, such as the viscosity and other characteristics
of the spray texture material itself, the discharge pressure, the
volumetric rate at which the spray texture material is delivered to
the tube 24, and other factors.
[0115] Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, depicted therein at 120 is
another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in
accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present
invention. The spray texturing apparatus 120 basically comprises an
aerosol container 122, a valve assembly 124 mounted on the
container 122, and an outlet member 126 attached to the valve
assembly 124.
[0116] The outlet member 126 has first, second, and third outlet
orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c formed therein. As shown in FIG. 19,
these outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c have of different
diameters. Further, the outlet member 126 is so attached to the
valve assembly 124 that each of the orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c
aligned with a nozzle passageway 130 of the valve assembly 124
through which the texture material is dispensed or discharged.
Aligning the orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c as just-described
effectively extends the length of the nozzle passageway 130 in a
manner that allows the operator to vary the cross-sectional area of
a discharge opening 131 through which the texture material is
discharged.
[0117] To operate the spray texturing apparatus 120, the valve
assembly 124 is operated to allow the spray material within the
container 122 to pass through the nozzle passageway 130. The
texture material thus exits the spray texturing apparatus 120
through whichever of the outlet orifices 128a, 128b, or 128c is
aligned with the nozzle passageway 130.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 20, the nozzle passageway 130 has a
diameter of do. Similar to the dispensing tubes 24a, 24b, and 24c
described above, the outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c of
different diameters d.sub.a, d.sub.b, and d.sub.c result in
different spray texture patterns 20 being applied to the wallboard
12. One of the outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c is selected
according to the type of texture pattern desired and arranged to
form a portion of the nozzle passageway 130, thereby varying the
effective cross-sectional area of the discharge opening 131. The
outlet orifice 128a is of the smallest diameter and results in a
spray pattern having the small particles 44a as shown in FIG. 4.
The outlet orifice 128b is of medium diameter and results in a
spray pattern having the somewhat larger particles 44b shown in
FIG. 5. The outlet orifice 128c is of the largest diameter, which
results in a spray pattern having the large particles 44c shown in
FIG. 6.
[0119] The spray texturing apparatus 120 obtains the same basic
result as the apparatus 10 described above and the prior art
assembly shown in FIGS. 27 and 28; however, as will be apparent
from the following discussion, the apparatus 120 allows a reduction
in the number of parts employed to achieve this result and
substantially eliminates the possibility that individual parts will
be lost by the end user. Also, the apparatus 120 is completely
assembled at the factory and thus alleviates the potential for the
operator to be sprayed with texture material during assembly.
[0120] Referring again to FIG. 20, the operation of the spray
texturing apparatus 120 will now be described in further detail.
The container 122 basically comprises a generally cylindrical base
132 and a cap 134. The base 132 and cap 134 are conventional and
need not be described herein in detail.
[0121] The valve assembly 124 basically comprises: (a) the outlet
member 128 described above; (b) an actuator member 136 having a
valve stem 138; (c) a valve seat 140; (d) a valve housing 142; (e)
a valve member 144; (f) a valve spring 146; and (g) a collection
tube 148 that extends into the spray material within the container
122. Essentially, the valve assembly 124 creates a path that allows
the pressure within the container 122 to cause the texture material
to flow through the nozzle passageway 130.
[0122] The valve assembly 124 is constructed and operates basically
as follows. The valve seat 140 and valve housing 142 mate with and
are held by the container cap 134 near a valve hole 150 in the cap
134. The valve member 144 and valve spring 146 are mounted within
the valve housing 142 such that the valve spring 146 urges the
valve member 144 towards the valve seat 140. The valve stem 138
extends through the valve hole 150 and is attached to the valve
member 144; pressing the actuator member 136 towards the container
122 into an open position forces the valve member 144 away from the
valve seat 140 against the urging of the valve spring 146.
[0123] When the valve member 144 is forced away from the valve seat
140, an exit passageway 152 for the spray material is created. This
exit passageway 152 allows the spray material to exit the apparatus
120 by passing: through the collection tube 136; through the center
of the valve housing 142; around the valve member 144; through a
slot 154 formed in the valve stem 138; through a vertical
passageway 156 formed in the actuator member 136; through the
nozzle passageway 130 described above; and through the one of the
outlet orifices 128a, 128b, or 128c aligned with the nozzle
passageway 130. At this point, the spray material forms the spray
18 as described above.
[0124] The exemplary outlet member 126 basically comprises a disc
portion 158 and a cylindrical portion 160. The first, second, and
third outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c are formed in the disc
portion 158. Center axes A, B, and C of the outlet orifices 128a,
128b, and 128c are equidistant from a center axis D of the disc
portion 158; the distances between the center axes A, B, and C of
these outlet orifices 128a, 128b, and 128c and the center axis D of
the disc portion 158 are represented by the reference character X
in FIG. 20.
[0125] The cylindrical portion 160 of the outlet member 126 has a
center axis E which is aligned with the center axis D of the disc
portion 158. Additionally, an outlet portion 162 of the actuator
member 126 through which the nozzle passageway 130 extends has a
generally cylindrical outer surface 164. A center axis F of the
actuator member outer surface 164 is aligned with the center axes D
and E described above.
[0126] Also, a center axis G of the nozzle passageway 130 is
arranged parallel to the center axis F of the actuator member outer
surface 164. The center axis G of this nozzle passageway 130 is
spaced away from actuator member center axis F the same distance X
that exists between the center axes A, B, and C of the nozzle exit
orifices and the center axis D of the disc portion 158.
[0127] Finally, an inner surface 166 of the outlet member
cylindrical portion 160 is cylindrical and has substantially the
same diameter d, taking into account tolerances, as the cylindrical
outer surface 164 of the outlet portion 162 of the actuator member
136. An outlet surface 168 of the outlet portion 162 is disc-shaped
and has substantially the same diameter d as the outlet member
inner surface 166 and the actuator member outer surface 164.
[0128] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 20, the outlet member 126 is
attached to the actuator member 136 by placing the cylindrical
portion 160 of the outlet member 126 over the outlet portion 162 of
the actuator member 136 such that the actuator member outlet
surface 168 is adjacent to an inner surface 170 on the disc portion
158 of the outlet member 126.
[0129] When the outlet member 126 is so mounted on the actuator
member 136, an annular projection 172 formed on the inner surface
166 of the outlet member cylindrical portion 160 engages an annular
indentation 174 formed in the outer surface 164 of the actuator
member outlet portion 162. The projection 172 and indentation 174
are arranged parallel to the actuator member outlet surface 168 and
thus allow rotation of the outlet member 126 relative to the
actuator member 136.
[0130] Further, the engagement of the projection 172 with the
indentation 174 prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member
126 from the actuator member 136; however, both the projection 172
and indentation 174 are rounded to allow the outlet member 126 to
be attached to and detached from the actuator member 136 when
desired. The outlet member cylindrical portion 160, the projection
172, and indentation 174 thus form an attachment means 176 for
rotatably attaching the outlet member 126 to the actuator member
136.
[0131] As shown in FIG. 20, when the outlet member 126 is attached
to the actuator member 136, the center axes D, E, and F described
above are aligned. Further, the outlet orifice center axes A, B,
and C are parallel to the nozzle passageway center axis G.
Accordingly, any one of these outlet orifice center axes A, B, and
C can be aligned with the nozzle passageway center axis G by
rotation of the outlet member 26 about the axes D, E, and F
relative to the actuator member 136. In FIG. 20, the center axis A
of the first outlet orifice 128a is shown aligned with the nozzle
passageway center axis G.
[0132] FIG. 20 also shows that an intermediate surface 178 is
formed at one end of the first exit orifice 128a. This intermediate
surface 176 brings the diameter of the exit passageway 152
gradually down from a diameter do of the dispensing passageway 130
to the diameter da Of the first exit orifice 128a. A similar
intermediate surface exists at one end of the second exit orifice
128b. An intermediate surface is not required for the third exit
orifice 128c as, in the exemplary apparatus 120, the diameter
d.sub.c of the third exit orifice is the same as that of the
diameter do of the nozzle passageway 130.
[0133] Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, depicted therein at 220 is
yet another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in
accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present
invention. The spray texturing apparatus 220 operates in the same
basic manner as the apparatus 120 just-described; accordingly, the
apparatus 220 will be described herein only to the extent that it
differs from the apparatus 120. The characters employed in
reference to the apparatus 220 will be the same as those employed
in reference to the apparatus 120 plus 100; where any reference
characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements
referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the
same in the apparatus 220 as the elements corresponding thereto in
the apparatus 120.
[0134] The spray texturing apparatus 220 basically comprises an
aerosol container 222, a valve assembly 224 mounted on the
container 222, and an outlet member 226 attached to the valve
assembly 224. The valve assembly 224 further comprises an actuator
member 236. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and
the apparatus 220 is in the construction of the outlet member 226
and the actuator member 236 and the manner in which these members
226 and 236 inter-operate.
[0135] In particular, the outlet member 226 simply comprises a disc
portion 258. An attachment means 276 for attaching the outlet
member 226 to the actuator member 236 basically comprises an
indentation or hole 272 formed in the outlet member disc portion
258 and a projection 274 formed on an outlet surface 268 formed on
the actuator member 236. The hole 272 and projection 274 lie along
a center axis D of the disc portion 258 and a center axis F
extending through the actuator member 236. The interaction of the
hole 272 and the projection 274 allow the outlet member 226 to be
rotated about the axes D and F. A rounded end 280 of the projection
274 prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member 226 from the
actuator member 236.
[0136] Accordingly, it should be clear from the foregoing
discussion and FIGS. 21 and 22 that the attachment means 276
accomplishes the same basic function as the attachment means 176
described above and thus that the apparatus 220 operates in the
same basic manner as the apparatus 120 described above.
[0137] Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, depicted therein at 320 is
yet another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in
accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present
invention. The spray texturing apparatus 320 operates in the same
basic manner as the apparatus 120 described above; accordingly, the
apparatus 320 will be described herein only to the extent that it
differs from the apparatus 120. The characters employed in
reference to the apparatus 320 will be the same as those employed
in reference to the apparatus 120 plus 200; where any reference
characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements
referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the
same in the apparatus 320 as the elements corresponding thereto in
the apparatus 120.
[0138] The spray texturing apparatus 320 basically comprises an
aerosol container 322, a valve assembly 324 mounted on the
container 322, and an outlet member 326 attached to the valve
assembly 324. The valve assembly 324 further comprises an actuator
member 336. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and
the apparatus 320 is in the construction of the outlet member 326
and the actuator member 336 and the manner in which these members
326 and 336 inter-operate.
[0139] In particular, the outlet member 326 simply comprises a disc
portion 358. An attachment means 376 for attaching the outlet
member 326 to the actuator member 336 basically an annular ring 374
having a center axis E fastened to the actuator member 236. An
annular projection 380 extends inwardly from the ring 374. The
diameter of the disc portion 358 is substantially the same as that
of the ring 374, taking into account tolerances, and slightly
larger than that of the projection 380.
[0140] The outlet member 326 is attached to the actuator member 336
by placing the outlet member 326 within the ring 374 and attaching
the ring 374 onto the actuator member 336 with: (a) the outlet
member 326 between the annular projection 380 and an outlet surface
368 of the actuator member 336; and (b) a center axis D of the disc
member 358 aligned with the axis E of the ring 374 and a center
axis F of the actuator member 336. The outlet member 326 can rotate
within the ring 374 about the axes D, E, and F, and the annular
projection 380 prevents inadvertent removal of the outlet member
326 from the actuator member 336. A handle 382 is provided on the
outlet member 326 to facilitate rotation outlet member 326.
[0141] The attachment means 376 accomplishes the same basic
function as the attachment means 176 described above. The apparatus
320 thus operates in all other respects in the same basic manner as
the apparatus 120 described above.
[0142] Referring now to FIGS. 25 and 26, depicted therein at 420 is
yet another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed in
accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present
invention. The spray texturing apparatus 420 operates in the same
basic manner as the apparatus 120 described above; accordingly, the
apparatus 420 will be described herein only to the extent that it
differs from the apparatus 120. The characters employed in
reference to the apparatus 420 will be the same as those employed
in reference to the apparatus 120 plus 300; where any reference
characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements
referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the
same in the apparatus 420 as the elements corresponding thereto in
the apparatus 120.
[0143] The spray texturing apparatus 420 basically comprises an
aerosol container 422, a valve assembly 424 mounted on the
container 422, and an outlet member 426 attached to the valve
assembly 424. The valve assembly 424 further comprises an actuator
member 436. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and
the apparatus 420 is in the construction of the outlet member 426
and the actuator member 436 and the manner in which these members
426 and 436 inter-operate.
[0144] In particular, the outlet member 426 comprises a disc
portion 458 having a lower surface 466 and a cylindrical portion
460 having an inner surface 470. In the exemplary apparatus 420,
the actuator member 436 has an upper surface 464 and a cylindrical
outer surface 468. When the valve assembly 424 is assembled, a
center axis D of the disc portion 458, a center axis E of the
cylindrical portion 460, and a vertical center axis F of the stem
portion 436 are aligned.
[0145] An attachment means 476 for attaching the outlet member 426
to the actuator member 436 basically comprises an annular ring 472
formed on the outlet member cylindrical portion 460 and a notch or
indentation 474 formed around the cylindrical outer surface 468 of
the actuator member 436. This attachment means 476 allows the
outlet member 426 to rotate relative to the actuator member 436
about the axes D, E, and F but prevents inadvertent removal of the
outlet member 426 from the actuator member 436.
[0146] With this configuration, the first, second, and third outlet
orifices 428a, 428b, and 428c are formed in the cylindrical portion
460 of the outlet member 426. These orifices 428a, 428b, and 428c
are formed with their center axes A, B, and C orthogonal to,
arranged at a given vertical point H along, and radially extending
outwardly from the vertical center axis F of the stem portion 436.
A center axis G of a nozzle passageway 430 formed in the actuator
member 436 also is orthogonal to, radially extends from, and
intersects at the given point H the vertical center axis F of the
stem portion 436.
[0147] To facilitate rotation of the outlet member 426 relative to
the actuator member 436, a peripheral flange 480 is formed at the
bottom of the actuator member 436. The user can grasp this flange
480 to hold the actuator member 436 in place as the outlet member
426 is being rotated about its axis D. Thus, rotation of the outlet
member 426 relative to the actuator member 436 about the axes D, E,
and F allows any one of these orifices 428a, 428b, and 428c to be
aligned with a center axis G of a nozzle passageway 430 formed in
the actuator member 436. The first outlet orifice 428a is shown
aligned with the nozzle passageway 430 in FIG. 26.
[0148] The attachment means 476 thus also accomplishes the same
basic function as the attachment means 176 described above.
Accordingly, the apparatus 420 operates in all other respects in
the same basic manner as the apparatus 120 described above.
[0149] Referring now to FIGS. 27, 28, 29, and 30, depicted therein
at 520 is another exemplary spray texturing apparatus constructed
in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present
invention. The spray texturing apparatus 520 operates in the same
basic manner as the apparatus 120 described above; accordingly, the
apparatus 520 will be described herein only to the extent that it
differs from the apparatus 120. The characters employed in
reference to the apparatus 520 will be the same as those employed
in reference to the apparatus 120 plus 400; where any reference
characters are skipped in the following discussion, the elements
referred to by those skipped reference characters are exactly the
same in the apparatus 420 as the elements corresponding thereto in
the apparatus 120.
[0150] The spray texturing apparatus 520 basically comprises an
aerosol container 522, a valve assembly 524 mounted on the
container 522, and an outlet member 526 attached to the valve
assembly 524. The valve assembly 524 further comprises an actuator
member 536. The primary difference between the apparatus 120 and
the apparatus 520 is in the construction of the outlet member 526
and the actuator member 536 and the manner in which these members
526 and 536 inter-operate.
[0151] In particular, in the apparatus 520 a nozzle passageway 530
formed in the actuator member 536 terminates at the top rather than
the side of the actuator member 536. The outlet member 526
comprises a disc member 558 attached to an outlet surface 568 on
the upper end of the actuator member 536. A hole 572 formed in the
disc member 558 and a projection 574 formed on the outlet surface
568 comprise an attachment means 576 for attaching the outlet
member 526 onto the actuator member 536.
[0152] The attachment means 576 allows the outlet member 526 to be
rotated about a center axis D thereof relative to the actuator
member 536 such that any one of the center axes A, B, or C of
outlet orifices 528a, 528b, and 528c can be aligned with a center
axis G of the nozzle passageway 520.
[0153] Finger engaging wings 580 and 582 are formed on the actuator
member 536 to allow the user to depress the actuator member 536 and
spray the texture material within the container without getting
texture material on the fingers.
[0154] The nozzle passageway identified by the reference character
530a in FIG. 28 comprises a dog-leg portion 584 that allows a
center axis G of the nozzle passageway 530a to be offset from a
vertical center axis F of the stem portion 536 and the center axis
D of the outlet member 526. In FIG. 30, the nozzle passageway 530b
is straight and the center axis D of the outlet member 526 is
offset from the vertical center axis F of the stem portion 536. In
this case, the disc member 558b forming the outlet member 526 in
FIGS. 29 and 30 has a larger diameter than does the disc member
558a forming the outlet member 526 in FIGS. 27 and 28.
[0155] Referring now to FIGS. 31A and B, depicted at 600 therein is
an aerosol device constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principals of the present invention. The device 600 basically
comprises an aerosol assembly 602 and an outlet assembly 604. The
aerosol assembly 602 is conventional and will be described below
only briefly.
[0156] The aerosol assembly 602 comprises a container 606, a valve
assembly 608, and an actuator member 610. As is well known in the
art, depressing the actuator member 610 moves the valve assembly
608 into its open position in which an exit passageway is defined
from the interior to the exterior of the container 606. This exit
passageway terminates in a nozzle opening 612 formed in the
actuator member 610.
[0157] The outlet assembly 604 comprises a straw 614 and one or
more constricting members 616. The straw member 614 is adapted to
fit into the nozzle opening 612 such that texture material exiting
the aerosol portion 602 passes through a discharge opening 618
defined by the straw 614.
[0158] The restricting sleeves 616 are adapted to fit onto the
straw 614. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 31 B, each of the
constricting sleeves defines a sleeve passageway 620 into which the
straw 614 is inserted. The sleeve passageways 620 each comprise a
reduced diameter portion 622. The straw 614 is made out of flexible
material such that, when the straw is inserted into the sleeve
passageway 620, the reduced diameter portions 622 of the passageway
620 act on the straws 614 to create outlet portions 624 of the
dispensing passageway 618 having different cross-sectional areas.
Each of the outlet portions 624a, 624b, 624c defined as described
above corresponds to a different texture pattern.
[0159] The outlet assembly 604 as described above thus results in
at least four different texture patterns. One is formed by the
straw 614 without any constricting sleeve mounted thereon, and
three are formed by the different constricting sleeves 616a, 616b,
and 616c shown in FIG. 31B.
[0160] Also, as shown in FIG. 31A, the constricting sleeve 616 may
be mounted on the end of the straw 614 as shown by solid lines or
at a central location along the length of the straw 614 as shown by
broken lines.
[0161] The aerosol device 600 thus employs an elongate discharge
opening as formed by the straw 614 and provides constricting
sleeves 616 that allow a cross-sectional area of the discharge
opening 618 to be reduced, thereby allowing the device 600 to
dispense texture material in a manner that forms different texture
patterns.
[0162] Referring now to FIG. 32, depicted therein is an alternate
outlet assembly 626 that may be used in place of the outlet
assembly 604 described above. The outlet assembly 626 comprises a
straw 628 and a constricting disc 630. The straw 628 functions in a
manner essentially the same as the straw 614 described above. The
disc 630 defines three disc passageways 632a, 632b, and 632c which
function in the same basic manner as the passageways 620a, 620b,
and 620c described above.
[0163] The single constricting disc 630 thus performs essentially
the same function as the three constricting sleeves 616a, 616b, and
616c described above. A possible advantage to the outlet portion
626 is that it requires the fabrication and storage of only two
parts (the straw 628 and the disc 630) rather than four parts (the
straw 614 and the constricting sleeves 616a, 616b, and 616c).
[0164] Referring now to FIGS. 33A and 33B, depicted therein is yet
another outlet assembly 634 that may be used instead of the outlet
assembly 604 described above.
[0165] The outlet assembly 634 comprises a straw 636 and one or
more constricting plugs 638. The straw 636 is essentially the same
as the straw 614 described above, although the straw 636 is
preferably made out of more rigid material than that from which the
straw 614 is made.
[0166] The straw 636 and plugs 638 define a discharge passageway
640 through which texture material must pass as it exits the
aerosol portion 602. The discharge passageway 640 comprises an
outlet portion 642 defined by a central bore 644 formed in the
plugs 638. As shown in FIG. 33B, the plugs 642a, 642b, and 642c
have bores 644a, 644b, and 644c of different cross-sectional areas.
As the outlet portions 642a, 642b, and 642c of the exit passageway
640 are defined by the bores 644a, 644b, and 644c, these outlet
portions also have different cross-sectional areas. The
constricting plugs 638a, 638b, and 638c are mounted on the straw
636 in a manner that allows the outlet portion 634 to be
reconfigured to define an exit passageway at least a portion of
which can be increased or decreased. This allows the outlet portion
634 to cause the texture material to be deposited on a surface in
different patterns.
[0167] A number of mechanisms can be employed to mount the
constricting plugs 638 on to the straw 636. The exemplary
configuration shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B employs a reduced diameter
portion 646 adapted to fit snugly within a central bore 648 defined
by the straw 636. The tolerances of the reduced diameter portion
646 and the walls defining the bore 648, along with the material
from which the straw 636 and plug 638 are made, result in a
friction fit that holds the constricting plug within the straw 636
as shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B.
[0168] An external flange 650 is formed on each of the constricting
plugs 638 primarily to facilitate removal of these plugs 638 from
the straw 636 when different spray texture patterns are
required.
[0169] Referring now to FIGS. 34A and 34B, depicted therein is yet
another exemplary method of implementing the principles of the
present invention. In particular, shown in FIG. 34A is yet another
outlet assembly 652 adapted to be mounted on the aerosol assembly
602 in place of the outlet assembly 604 shown above.
[0170] In particular, the outlet assembly 652 comprises a straw 654
and a constricting disc 656. The straw 654 is mounted onto the
actuator member 610, and the constricting disc 656 is mounted on a
distal end of the straw 654.
[0171] The straw 654 is similar in shape to the straw 614 described
above and it is similar in both shape and function to the straw 636
described above. In particular, the straw 654 is made out of
semi-rigid material that allows a pressure fit to be formed that
will mechanically engage the straw 654 both to the actuator member
610 and to the constricting disc 656.
[0172] Referring now to FIG. 34B, it can be seen that the
constricting disc 656 has three holes 658a, 658b, and 658c formed
therein. These holes 658 have a wide diameter portion 660 and a
reduced diameter portion 662. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 34A,
the wide diameter portion is sized and dimensioned to receive the
straw 654 to form a pressure fit that mounts the disc 656 onto the
straw 654 in a manner that prevents inadvertent removal of the disc
656 from the straw 654,
[0173] but allows the disc 656 to be manally removed from the straw
654 when a different spray texture pattern is desired.
[0174] The reduced diameter portion 662 define an outlet portion
664 of a discharge passageway 666 defined by the outlet portion
652. As can be seen from FIG. 34B, each of the reduced diameter
portions 662 has a different cross-sectional area, resulting in a
different cross-sectional area of the outlet portion 664.
[0175] The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 34A
and FIG. 34B thus allows the formation of different texture
patterns as described in more detail above.
[0176] Referring now to FIG. 35, depicted therein is yet another
outlet portion 668 constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention. This outlet portion 668 is
similar to the portion 652 described above. The outlet portion 668
comprises a straw 670 that can be the same as the straw 654
described above and a constricting cylinder 672. The constricting
cylinder 672 is in many respects similar to the constricting disc
656 described above; the cylinder 672 has three holes formed
therein, each having a large diameter portion adapted to form a
pressure fit with the straw 670 and a reduced diameter portion for
allowing a cross-sectional area of an outlet portion 674 of an exit
passageway 676 to be selected. The primary difference between
the
[0177] cylinder 672 and the disc 656 is that the outlet portion 674
of the exit passageway 676 is elongated.
[0178] Referring now to FIGS. 36A and 36B, depicted therein is yet
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, FIGS. 36A and 36B depict yet another exemplary outlet
assembly 678 adapted to be mounted onto an aerosol assembly such as
the aerosol assembly 602 described above.
[0179] The outlet assembly 678 comprises a straw 680, a fixed
member 682, and a movable member 684. The exit portion 678 defines
a discharge passageway 686 that extends through the straw 680 and
is defined by a first bore 688 defined by the fixed member 682 and
a second bore 690 defined by the movable member 684.
[0180] The fixed member 682 is mounted onto the end of the straw
680 using a pressure fit established in a manner similar to that
formed between the cylindrical member 672 and straw 670 described
above. The movable member 684 is mounted within the fixed member
682 such that the movable member 684 may be rotated about an axis
692 transverse to a dispensing axis 694 defined by the discharge
passageway 686.
[0181] As shown by a comparison of FIGS. 36A and 36B, rotation of
the movable member, 684 relative to the fixed member 682 can alter
an effective cross-sectional area of the discharge passageway 686.
By altering the discharge passageway in this manner, different
texture patterns may be formed by the texture material being
discharged through the discharge passageway 686. Rather than
providing a plurality of discrete cross-sectional areas, the outlet
portion 678 allows a continuous variation in the size of the
cross-sectional area of the exit passageway 686. It should be noted
that the discharge passageway 686 may be closed.
[0182] Referring now to FIGS. 37A and 37B, depicted therein is yet
another example of a device incorporating the principles of the
present invention. In particular, depicted in FIG. 37A is yet
another discharge assembly 700 adapted to be mounted onto the
actuator member 610 of the aerosol assembly 602.
[0183] The discharge assembly 700 comprises a straw 702 and a plug
disc 704. The outlet portion 700 includes a discharge passageway
706 defined in part by the straw 702 and in part by one of a
plurality of bores 708 formed in the plug disc 704. In particular,
as shown in FIG. 37B the plug disc 704 comprises a disc portion 710
and three plug portions 712a, 712b, and 712c. The bores 708 extend
through the plug portions 712. The plug portions 712 extend into a
bore 714 defined by the straw 702 and form a pressure fit with the
straw 702 that prevents inadvertent removal of the plug disc 704
from the straw 702 but allow the plug disc 704 to be manually
removed when different spray texture patterns are desired.
[0184] Referring now to FIGS. 38A and 38B, depicted therein is yet
another device embodying the principles of the present invention.
In particular, shown therein is an outlet member 716 adapted to be
substituted for the outlet assembly 704 described above. The outlet
member 716 is similar in construction and operation to the plug
disc 704 described above. But the outlet member 716 is adapted to
connect directly onto the actuator member 610 of the aerosol
portion 602. The system shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B thus does not
include a straw; a plurality of discharge passageways 718 are
entirely formed by bores 720 formed in the discharge member
716.
[0185] As shown in FIG. 38B, the cross-sectional area of these
bores 720a, 720b, and 720c are different, resulting in discharge
passageways 718a, 718b, and 718c having different cross-sectional
areas.
[0186] The discharge member 716 comprises a plate portion 722 and a
plurality of plug portions 724 extending therefrom. The bores 720
extend through the plugs 724, and outer surfaces 726 of the plugs
are adapted to fit within the actuator member 610 such that texture
material leaving the aerosol portion 602 passes hrough the
discharge passageway 718 defined by one of the bores 720. A
selected one of the plugs 724 is inserted into the actuator member
610 depending on the texture pattern desired.
[0187] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B discloses a simple
method of obtaining a plurality of texture patterns and includes a
somewhat elongated discharge passageway.
[0188] Referring now to FIGS. 39A and 39B, depicted therein is yet
another outlet assembly 728 adapted to be mounted onto the actuator
member 610 of the aerosol device 602.
[0189] The outlet assembly 728 comprises a fixed member 730, a
rotatable member 732, and a plurality of straws 734. The fixed
member 730 has a plug portion 736 adapted to form a pressure fit
with the actuator member 610 and a plate portion 738. The rotatable
member 732 comprises a cavity adapted to mate with the plate
portion 738 of the fixed member 730 such that a plurality of bores
740 in the movable member 732 may be brought into alignment with a
bore 742 formed in the plug portion 736. This is accomplished by
rotating the movable member 732 about an axis 744 relative to the
fixed member 730. Detents or other registration means can be
provided to positively lock the movable member 732 relative to the
fixed member 730 when the bores 740 are in alignment with the bore
742.
[0190] Each of the bores 740 has an increased diameter portion 746
sized and dimensioned to receive one of the straws 734. Each of the
straws 734 has an internal bore 748.
[0191] Texture material exiting the aerosol device 602 passes
through a discharge passageway 750 formed by the bores 742, 740,
and 748. Additionally, as perhaps best shown by FIG. 39B, each of
the bores 748a, 748b, and 748c defined by the straws 734a, 734b,
and 734c has a different bore cross-sectional area. Accordingly, by
rotating the movable member 732 relative to the fixed member 730, a
different one of the bores 748a, 748b, and 748c can be arranged to
form a part of the discharge passageway 750. Thus, the outlet
portion 728 allows the use of a plurality of straws, but does not
require any of these straws to be removed and stored while one of
the straws is in use.
[0192] The outlet portion 728 otherwise allows the selection of one
of a plurality of texture patterns and does so using an elongate
discharge passageway to provide the benefits described above.
[0193] Referring now to FIG. 40, depicted therein is yet another
exemplary discharge assembly 752 constructed in accordance with,
and embodying the principles of the present invention. The
discharge assembly 752 is adapted to be mounted on a modified
actuator member 754. The actuator member 754 is similar to the
actuator member 610 described above except that the member 754
comprises a cylindrical projection 756 formed thereon. The
cylindrical projection 756 functions in a manner substantially
similar to the fixed member &30 described above, but is
integrally formed with the actuator member 754 to eliminate one
part from the overall assembly. The discharge portion 752 comprises
a cap 758 having a hollow cylindrical portion 760 and a plate
portion 762. The cylindrical portion 760 is adapted to mate with
the cylindrical portion 756 such that the cap 758 rotates about an
axis 764 relative to the actuator member 754. Extending from the
plate portion 762 is a plurality of straws 766.
[0194] By rotating the cap 758 about the axis 764, bores 768 of the
straws 766 may be brought into registration with a portion 770 of
an exit passageway 772. The portion 770 of the exit passageway 772
extends through the cylindrical portion 756.
[0195] Additionally, each of the bores 768 has a different
cross-sectional area. A desired texture pattern may be selected by
placing one of the straws 768 in registration with the passageway
portion 770. The overall effect is somewhat similar to that of the
discharge portion 728. While the discharge portion 752 eliminates
one part as compared to the discharge portion 728, the discharge
portion 752 requires a specially made actuator member. In contrast,
the discharge portion 728 uses a standard actuator member.
[0196] Referring now to FIG. 41, depicted therein is yet another
discharge member 774 adapted to be mounted on the actuator member
610. This system shown in FIG. 42 is very similar to the system
described above with reference to FIGS. 1-18 in that, normally, a
plurality of discharge members 774 will be sold with the aerosol
portion 602, each straw corresponding to a different texture
pattern.
[0197] But with the discharge members or straws 774, a bore 776 of
each of the straws 774 will have the same cross-sectional area
except at one location identified by reference character 778 in
FIG. 41. At this location 778, the straw 774 is pinched or
otherwise distorted such that, at that location 778, the
cross-sectional area of the bore 776 is different for each of the
straws. While the location 778 is shown approximately at the middle
of the straw 774, this location may be moved out towards the distal
end of the straw 774 to obtain an effect similar to that shown and
described in relation to FIG. 31B.
[0198] The system shown in FIG. 41 allows the manufacturer of the
device to purchase one single size of straw and modify the standard
straws to obtain straws that yield desirable texture patterns. This
configuration may also be incorporated in a product where the end
user forms the distortion 778 to match a preexisting pattern.
[0199] Referring now to FIGS. 42A and 42B, depicted therein is yet
another discharge assembly 780 adapted to be mounted on an actuator
member 782 that is substituted for the actuator member 610
described above.
[0200] The discharge assembly 780 comprises a flexible straw 784, a
rigid hollow cylinder 786, and a tensioning plate 788. The straw
784 is securely attached at one end to the actuator member 782 and
at its distal end to the tensioning plate 788. A central bore 790
defined by the straw 784 is in communication with a bore 792 formed
in the tensioning plate 788. Thus, texture material flowing out of
the aerosol portion 602 passes through the bores 790 and 792, at
which point it is deposited on the surface being coated.
[0201] The outer cylinder 786 is mounted onto the actuator member
782 such that it spaces the tensioning plate 788 in one of a
plurality of fixed distances from the actuator member 782. More
specifically, extending from the tensioning plate 788 are first and
second tabs 794 and 796. Formed on the cylinder 786 are rows of
teeth 798 and 800. Engaging portions 802 and 804 on the tabs 794
and 796 are adapted to engage the teeth 798 and 800 to hold the
tensioning plate 788 at one of the plurality of locations along the
cylinder 786.
[0202] As the tensioning plate moves away from the actuator member
782 (compare FIGS. 42A and 42B), the resilient straw 784 becomes
stretched, thereby decreasing the cross-sectional area of the bore
790 formed therein. By lifting on the tab 794 and 796, the engaging
portions 802 and 804 can be disengaged from the teeth 798 and 800
to allow the tensioning plate 788 to move back towards the actuator
member 782. By this process, the cross-sectional area of the bore
790 defined by the flexible straw 784 can be varied to obtain
various desired texture patterns.
[0203] Referring now to FIGS. 43 and 43B, depicted therein is an
output assembly 810 adapted to be mounted on an actuator member
812. The actuator member 812 functions in the same basic manner as
the actuator member 610 described above but has been adapted to
allow the discharge assembly 810 to be mounted thereon.
[0204] In particular, the discharge portion 810 comprises a straw
814 and a tensioning cylinder 816. The straw 814 is flexible and is
connected at one end to the actuator member 812 and a distal end to
the tensioning cylinder 816. The tensioning cylinder 816 is
threaded to mount on a spacing cylinder 818 integrally formed with
the actuator member 812.
[0205] When the tensioning cylinder 816 is rotated about its
longitudinal axis, the threads thereon engage the threads on the
spacing cylinder 818 to cause the tensioning cylinder 816 to move
towards and away from the actuator member 812. Additionally, as the
ends of the straw 814 are securely attached to the actuator member
and the tensioning cylinder, rotation of the tensioning cylinder
816 causes the straw 814 to twist as shown in FIG. 43B. This
twisting reduces the cross-sectional area of a central bore 820
defined by the straw 814 and thus allows texture material passing
through this bore 820 to be applied in different texture
patterns.
[0206] Referring now to FIG. 44, depicted therein is yet another
exemplary discharge assembly 822. This discharge portion 822 is
adapted to be mounted on an actuator member 824. The actuator
member 824 performs the same basic functions as the actuator member
610 described above but has been adapted to direct fluid passing
therethrough upwardly rather than laterally. To facilitate this,
the actuator member 824 comprises first and second gripping
portions 826 and 828 sized and dimensioned to allow the user to
pull down on the actuator member 824 while holding the aerosol
portion 602 in an upright position. The actuator member 824 further
comprises an upper surface 830. An exit passageway 832 at least
partially defined by the actuator member 824 terminates at the
upper surface 830.
[0207] The discharge assembly 822 comprises a mounting cap 834
adapted to be attached to the actuator member 824 such that a
plurality of bores 836 in the cap 834 can be brought into
registration with the exit passageway 832. Mounted on the mounting
cap 834 are a plurality of straws 838 having central bores 840 of
different cross-sectional areas. These straws 838 are mounted onto
the mounting cap 834 such that the bores 840 are in communication
with a corresponding one of the bores 836 formed in the mounting
cap 834. By rotating the mounting cap 834 relative to the actuator
member 824, one of the central bores 840 is brought into
registration with the exit passageway portion 832 such that texture
material passing through the exit passageway 832 exits the system
through the aligned central bore 840. Each of the straws 838 thus
corresponds to a different texture pattern, and the desired texture
pattern may be selected by aligning an appropriate central bore 840
with the exit passageway 832.
[0208] The system shown in FIG. 44 is particularly suited for the
application of texture material in a desired pattern onto a ceiling
surface or the like.
[0209] Referring now to FIG. 45, depicted therein is an output
portion 842 designed to apply texture material at an angle between
vertical and horizontal. This discharge portion 842 is adapted to
be mounted on an actuator member 844. The actuator member 844
functions in a manner similar to the actuator member 824 described
above. In particular, the actuator member has a canted surface 846
that is angled with respect to both horizontal and vertical. An
exit passageway 848 defined by the actuator member 844 terminates
at the canted surface 846.
[0210] The discharge portion 842 comprises a mounting cap 850 and a
plurality of straws 852 mounted on the cap 850. Each of these
straws defines a center bore 854. The cross-sectional areas of the
central bores 854 are all different and thus allowed the formation
of different texture patterns.
[0211] The mounting cap 850 has a plurality of bores 856 formed
therein, with each bore 856 having a corresponding straw 852.
Additionally, the bores 856 are spaced from each other such that
rotation of the mounting cap 850 relative to the actuator member
854 aligns one of the bores 856, and thus the central bore 854 of
one of the straws 852 such that texture material exiting the
aerosol portion 602 passes through a selected central bore 854 of
one of the straws 852.
[0212] The system shown in FIG. 45 is particularly suited for
applying texture material to an upper portion of a wall.
[0213] Referring now to FIG. 46, depicted therein is yet another
exemplary output assembly 854 that may be mounted onto an actuator
member such as the actuator member 610 recited above.
[0214] The actuator assembly 854 comprises three straw members 856
each having a central bore 858. These straw members 856 are joined
together to form an integral unit, but are spaced from each other
as shown at 860 in FIG. 46 to allow them to be mounted onto an
actuator member such as the actuator member 610.
[0215] The cross-sectional areas of the bores 858a, 858b, and 858c
are different, and different spray texture patterns may be obtained
by inserting one of the straws into the actuator member such that
texture material flows through central bore 858 associated
therewith. In this context, it should be apparent that the output
portion 854 is used in the same basic manner as the plurality of
straws described in relation to FIGS. 1-18, but decreases the
likelihood that unused straws will be lost when not in use.
[0216] Referring now to FIG. 47, depicted therein are a plurality
of central bore configurations that may be employed in place of the
cylindrical configurations described above. For example, shown at
862 is a structure 864 defining a square central bore 866. This
bore 866 may be square along its entire length or may be made
square only at the end portion thereof to reduce the
cross-sectional area through which the texture material must pass
as it is dispensed.
[0217] Shown at 868 is yet another structure 870 defining a bore
872 having a triangular cross section. Shown at 874 is a structure
876 having a bore 878 configured in a rectangular shape. At 880 in
FIG. 47 is shown yet another structure 882 that defines a bore 884
having an oval configuration.
[0218] Bores such as the bores 878 and 884 described above that are
wider than they are tall may, in addition to defining a certain
cross-sectional area, also create desirable spray characteristics
such as a fan shape.
[0219] Referring now to FIG. 48, depicted therein is yet another
output portion 886 adapted to be mounted on the actuator member
610. The output portion 886 comprises a straw 888 and a box member
890. The straw 888 is connected at one end to the actuator member
610 such that texture material exiting the actuator member 610
passes through a central bore 892 defined by the straw 888. The box
member 890 is attached to the distal end of the straw 888.
[0220] The box member 890 defines a chamber 894 through which
texture material must pass before it passes through a discharge
opening 896. The chamber 894 acts as a pressure accumulator that
will smooth out any variations in pressure in the texture material
as it is dispensed through the opening 896.
[0221] Referring now to FIG. 49, there is a discharge member or
straw 900 adapted to be mounted on the actuator member 610. The
discharge straw 900 defines a central bore 902 through which
texture material must pass as it exits the actuator member 610. The
straw member 900 is curved such that the texture material leaving
the bore 902 moves at an angle relative to both horizontal and
vertical.
[0222] From the discussion of the other embodiments above, it
should be clear that a plurality of curved straws such as the straw
900 may be provided each having an internal bore with a different
cross-sectional area. This would allow the texture material not
only to be applied upwardly with the aerosol portion 602 being held
upright but would allow different spray texture patterns to be
applied.
[0223] Referring now to FIG. 50, depicted at 904 therein is a
discharge member or straw similar to the straw 900 described above.
The difference between the straw 904 and the straw 900 is that the
straw 904 is curved approximately 90 degree such that the texture
material passing through a central bore 906 thereof is
substantially parallel to vertical as it leaves the straw 904.
[0224] Referring now to FIG. 51, depicted therein is an aerosol
assembly 910 constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the
principles of the present invention. This assembly 910 comprises a
main aerosol container 912, a secondary container 914, a conduit
916 allowing fluid communication between the containers 912 and
914, and a valve 918 arranged to regulate the flow of fluid through
the conduit 916.
[0225] The main container 912 is similar to a conventional aerosol
container as described above except that it has an additional port
920 to which the conduit 916 is connected. The secondary container
914 is adapted to contain a pressurized fluid such as air or
nitrogen. The pressurized fluid is preferably inert.
[0226] The compressed fluid within the secondary container 914 is
allowed to enter the primary container 912 to force texture
material out of the main container 912. The valve 918 controls the
amount of pressure applied on the texture material by the
compressed fluid within the secondary container 914.
[0227] Thus, rather than relying on an internally provided
propellant gas to stay at a desired pressure associated with a
consistent spray texture pattern, an external gas source is applied
with a valve to ensure that the pressure remains at its desired
level while the texture material is being dispensed.
[0228] It is to be recognized that various modifications can be
made without departing from the basic teaching of the present
invention.
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