U.S. patent application number 10/308606 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for hand-operated pressurized brush-based liquid applicator.
Invention is credited to Waddell, Rickie Lee.
Application Number | 20030081983 10/308606 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25438177 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030081983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waddell, Rickie Lee |
May 1, 2003 |
Hand-operated pressurized brush-based liquid applicator
Abstract
An apparatus and method for applying liquid protectorant to a
targeted surface, such as a automobile tire sidewall, comprising a
container for holding the liquid protectorant, a hand-held
applicator, and a conduit between the container and the applicator.
And one embodiment, the container is pressurized and a manually
controllable valve is operable to deliver the liquid protectorant
from the container to the applicator. The applicator includes a
nozzle for delivering liquid protectorant. The nozzle, however, is
surrounded by portions of the applicator, for example brush
bristles, to prevent liquid protectorant from traveling to other
than the targeted area.
Inventors: |
Waddell, Rickie Lee; (Cedar
Rapids, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKEE, VOORHEES & SEASE, P.L.C.
801 GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Family ID: |
25438177 |
Appl. No.: |
10/308606 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10308606 |
Dec 2, 2002 |
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09916979 |
Jul 27, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
401/286 ;
401/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 11/063 20130101;
A46B 2200/3046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/286 ;
401/282 |
International
Class: |
A46B 011/04 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1 A method of applying a liquid protectorant to targeted surface
comprising: containing a supply of liquid protectorant in a manner
that is portable; conveying the liquid from the contained supply in
a contained manner to a hand-held application head; placing the
application head on or near the targeted surface; applying the
contained and conveyed liquid protectorant to the targeted surface
by; controlling the dispensing of liquid from the application head
so that liquid is directed to the targeted surface and blocked from
traveling to non-targeted surface or areas; spreading the dispensed
liquid with the application head while containing liquid to the
targeted surface; so that the storage, delivery and dispensing of
the liquid protectorant is controlled and without exposure of the
liquid to non-targeted surfaces or areas.
2 The method of claim 1 wherein the supply of liquid can be at
lease several tens of fluid ounces.
3 The method of claim 1 wherein containing the supply of liquid
from container to application head comprises sealing a delivery
path therebetween.
4 The method of claim 1 wherein the targeted surface is selected
from the set comprising vinyl and rubber.
5 The method of claim 4 wherein the targeted surface is a portion
of an automobile.
6 The method of claim 5 wherein the automobile portion comprises a
tire portion.
7 The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid protectorant comprises a
silicone-containing composition.
8 The method of claim 1 wherein the portable supply of liquid
protectorant is hand portable.
9 The method of claim 1 wherein the application head comprises a
brush head with brush bristles
10 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of conveying comprises
utilizing air pressure to move the liquid protectorant.
11 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of dispensing of the
liquid comprises misting the liquid.
12 The method of claim 1 wherein the step of controlling dispensing
comprises operating a valve.
13 The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the blocking step comprises
surrounding the location of dispensing of liquid.
14 A method of application of a liquid protectorant comprising:
spraying misted liquid protectorant onto an area through a brush as
the brush is at or near the area of application; brushing the
liquid over the area of application; delivering the liquid to the
brush via a sealed conduit from a hand portable liquid containing
unit.
15 The method of claim 14 wherein the liquid protectorant is a
silicone-containing composition.
16 The method of claim 14 wherein the misted liquid is
atomized.
17 The method of claim 16 wherein atomization is accomplished by
the liquid through an increasingly smaller space and aerating the
liquid.
18 The method of claim 14 wherein the step of brushing comprises
utilizing a brush with flag brush bristles.
19 The method of claim 14 wherein the step of delivery of the
liquid is by air pressure.
20 An apparatus for applying liquid protectorant to a targeted area
comprising: a hand-held applicator having a handle grippable by
hand; an application head attached to the handle and having a base,
a nozzle mounted in and extending from the base, and a surface
contacting material extending from the base and substantially
surrounding the nozzle; a container having a cavity which holds
liquid protectorant; a conduit between the container and the
nozzle; a controller element in the conduit to open and close the
conduit.
21 The method of claim 20 wherein the surface contacting material
is brush bristles.
22 The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the brush bristles extend
farther from the application head than the nozzle.
23 The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the nozzle includes a small
aperture which mists liquid protectorant delivered by air pressure
therethrough.
24 The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the container is a
pressurizable canister.
25 The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the pressurizable canister has
a valve through which pressurized air can be passed and retained
into the interior of the canister.
26 The pressurized canister of claim 24 further comprising a valve
which can be opened to release in a controlled manner air pressure
from an canister.
27 The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the conduit comprises a
hose.
28 The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the controller comprises a
valve that can be manually operated and has an element which moves
over a range from completely closing the conduit to completely
opening the conduit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention was developed to apply substances such as
Armor-Allto such things as car tires when detailing the cars.
Although the invention is not limited to this application, it is
its primary focus.
[0003] 2. Problems in the Art
[0004] The conventional way to apply such things as Armor-Allis to
either squirt it out of a standard manually pumped spray bottle
(for example a Winde.TM. bottle) or to pour some of the fluid on a
cloth or rag and swipe it on the surface to which it is to be
applied. Even with the spray bottle, a cloth or rag is needed to
wipe and smooth it out over the surface. There are times when the
liquid needs to be penetrate somewhat into the surface of
application, and mere wiping is insufficient.
[0005] A third method involves use of a sponge-type applicator such
as liquid shoe polish or the like. It still usually requires some
wiping or working with cloth. Foam applicators are sometimes used,
but they deteriorate quite rapidly due to the rough surfaces of
tires, and the lettering found on many tires.
[0006] The problems with these techniques is that they generally
require the two-step process of dispensing the fluid from its
container and then wiping it on or working it into the surface.
They also create a subtle but significant problem of having the
substance on rags or applicators which in turn then causes the
user's hands to come into contact with the substance. It also
results in spillage of the substance.
[0007] The problem with the above is that if the user's hands come
in contact or the rags or towels come in contact with the liquid,
it is difficult to clean and can drip or be transferred to floors
and make them slippery. It can also be damaging to the user's skin.
Some of these substances are dangerous if exposure to eyes or skin
occur, or if inhaled through the nose or ingested into the
lungs.
[0008] Further, the above application methods tend to utilize a lot
of the substance (more than is needed for the surface) and
therefore a significant amount of liquid and thus a significant
amount of cost is involved in the application of the substance.
[0009] There are a variety of different types of vinyl and rubber
protectorant fluids. Examples are Armor-All.TM. Protectorant of
Armor-All.TM. Products Corporation of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; ReTire
from Zep Products, of Smyrna, Ga.; and Ultra Shine Tire
Protectorant from Grace-Lee Products, of Minneapolis, Minn. Most of
them are packaged in relatively small hand-held sized plastic
bottles. Some of the containers simply have screw off caps. The
substance is poured onto a rag or other applicator. The substance
is then wiped and/or worked onto a targeted surface, such as, for
example, a car tire or other vinyl or rubber parts of an
automobile. Using this process, it is very hard to regulate the
amount of fluid that is dispensed out of the bottle that should be
commenced with the needs of the targeted surface. In other words,
the user just estimates how much to pour onto the applicator.
Because most applicators are absorbent, any excess is either
inefficiently placed on the target surface, or retained in the
absorbent applicator. However, in both cases many times too much of
the fluid is dispensed.
[0010] Furthermore, the steps of pouring fluid onto an applicator,
then moving the applicator to a surface, and then wiping the
applicator on the surface all involve possible spillage. Also, the
applicator either has a limited life span, or must be cleaned from
time to time. If a rag, this means it must be washed, for example
in a washing machine. The types of liquid protectorants discussed,
are not necessarily environmentally friendly. Therefore, if the
substance is able to be removed from the cloth or towel, it then
enters the water and is placed into the water system of the
municipality. Otherwise, the applicator must be washed under a hose
or other facilities and again the substance would enter the
municipal water system or fall or run off to the ground and also
could enter ground water. Such substances are also potentially
hazardous because if spilled on the floor, they can create slippery
areas. Workers or customers would be exposed to this risk. The
substances may produce environmentally hazardous substances when
decomposing.
[0011] Other conventional types of containers for such fluids may
incorporate in the hand-held bottle a spray nozzle with a manually
pumped delivery system. Dispension of the fluid is therefore
arguably easier, as is control over dispension of the fluid.
However, the spray is generally not fine in nature. The amount of
control is also not precise. This results in either an inefficient
amount of the substance being applied to the surface, or spillage,
splattering, dripping, or misdirection of the spray; again
resulting in waste of the fluid as well as creating possible
negative environmental consequences. Moreover, even using the spray
dispensers requires the second step of then wiping the substance
over the targeted surface. Similar problems regarding use of such
an applicator therefore occur.
[0012] It should also be mentioned that most hand-held sized
containers hold a relatively small amount of the fluid. This is
especially inefficient for businesses that use a relatively large
amount of the fluid over the course of a day. It requires a
change-over of containers frequently as well as the uneconomic of
paying for a large number of containers. Thus, the convenience of
having a small hand-sized container, including the maneuverability
of the same, is countervailed by the small amount of fluid that it
can contain as well as the problems with imprecise amounts of fluid
used and spillage.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The primary object of the invention is to improve upon the
problems and deficiencies in the art. For example, improvement is
needed in eliminating the wiping step with towels, rags, or
sponges. Also it would be very beneficial to eliminate any human
contact with the substance. It is important to decrease the amount
of substance used.
[0014] It is therefore a principal object of the present invention
to provide a method and apparatus which solve or improve over the
problems and deficiencies in the art.
[0015] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention include a method and apparatus which:
[0016] a. Allow more precise control placement of the fluid on a
targeted surface in an appropriate amount.
[0017] b. Allow better dispension of fluid from a holding
container.
[0018] c. Reduce spillage, drips, or inaccurate placement of the
fluid.
[0019] d. Deter potential hazards of spillage of the fluid on the
working area, which can render it slippery, or to the user.
[0020] e. Deter and reduce adverse environmental effects of the
fluid.
[0021] f. Provides a substantial amount of fluid in a portable
manner readily available for delivery to an applicator.
[0022] g. Are durable.
[0023] h. Are re-fillable.
[0024] i. Are easily repairable and maintained.
[0025] j. Are efficient and economical.
[0026] k. Are easily handled and maneuvered manually by a worker
and do not constrain free movement around a vehicle or targeted
surface.
[0027] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent with reference to the
accompanying specification and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
applying liquid protectorant to a targeted surface. The apparatus
consists of a container for holding a supply of liquid
protectorant. A hand-held applicator is in fluid communication with
the container through a conduit. A controller, which can meter the
amount of fluid passing from the container to the applicator, is
operatively connected to the apparatus. The applicator includes an
application head. A nozzle is surrounded by the application head
but has sufficient excess space around the nozzle so that fluid can
be sprayed substantially directly to the targeted surface but is
constrained from traveling to places other than the target surface
when the applicator is placed on or near the targeted surface.
[0029] The container applicator and conduit are operable by hand
and portable. Thus, in one step via a delivery system, the fluid in
the container is dispensed and delivered to the applicator nozzle.
When the applicator is placed on the targeted surface, the fluid
can be directed only to the surface and in quantities controllable
by the controller. The applicator can at the same time wipe, spread
or work the dispensed fluid across and/or into the targeted surface
while maintaining the fluid on the targeted surface.
[0030] The method according to the invention includes containing a
relatively large supply of liquid protectorant in a manner that is
hand portable, conveying the liquid in a controlled matter to a
targeted surface while surrounding the dispensing of the fluid to
prevent spillage or direction of the fluid outside the targeted
surface and spreading the dispensed liquid across the targeted
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the invention, including a partial perspective view of an
automobile tire and illustrating the hand-held nature of the
apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an still further enlarged sectional view taken
along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 3.
[0035] FIG. 5 is an enlarged isolated perspective taken along line
5-5 of FIG. 3.
[0036] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 5.
[0037] FIG. 7 is an sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] In order to provide a better understanding of the invention,
one embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail.
Frequent reference will be taken to the drawings. Reference numbers
will be used to indicate certain parts and locations in the
drawings. The same reference numbers will be used to indicate the
same parts and locations throughout the drawings unless otherwise
indicated.
[0039] It is to be understood that the preferred embodiment is but
one form and configuration the invention can take. This detailed
description is neither intended nor does it limit the invention,
which is solely defined by claims set forth herein.
[0040] The basic structure and environment of the invention will
first be described, followed by more detail of the structure of the
preferred embodiment of the invention, followed by a description of
the operation of the preferred embodiment, and finally, concluded
with a discussion of exemplary options, features, and alternatives
with regard to the invention.
[0041] By referring to FIG. 1, an automobile 8 is illustrated along
with an associated tire sidewall 9. Automobile detailing businesses
sometimes utilize vinyl or rubber protectorant fluid to clean,
protect, and improve the aesthetic appearance of automobile tires.
Businesses involved in the same therefore utilize substantial
quantities of the protectorant.
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention. The
device 10 includes a brush applicator (indicated generally at
reference number 12) connected via hose 14 to a pressurized,
hand-held canister 16. The substance to be dispensed (e.g.
Armor-All.TM.) is in pressurized canister 16.
[0043] The liquid protectorant is generically described as a vinyl
and rubber protectorant fluid. Such fluids are well-known in the
art. The specific composition of such fluids is not pertinent to
the invention other than the fact that when spilled on the floor
they can be slippery and that they are not necessarily
environmentally or user friendly. FIG. 1 illustrates that the user
can grip applicator 12 by hand (see reference number 15) and
manipulate brush applicator 12 relative to tire sidewall 9 in an
easy and efficient manner.
[0044] The brush applicator 12 is comprised of a head 18, bristles
20 extending from head 18, a handle (generally indicated at 22)
that comprises a hollow conduit, a valve 24 along conduit 22 and an
exterior gripping portion 28. A hand lever 26 operates valve 24. By
pushing lever 26 towards conduit 22, valve 24 increasingly opens
and provides a fluid conduit pathway from hose 14 to head 18. Then
lever 26 is in this normal, undepressed position, the fluid pathway
through valve 24 is blocked or closed.
[0045] Canister 16 includes a main body 30, coupling 32 for hose
14, a hand grip 34, a {fraction (15/16)}" hex release valve/filling
cap 36, and an air filling valve/cap 38. Protectorant can be placed
into canister 16 by removing cap 36. The interior of canister 16
can be pressurized by removing cap 38 (when cap 36 is in place on
canister 16) and adding pressurized air through 38. Pressure can be
adjusted or released through valve 36. Caps 36 and 38 are
threadably attached in place.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows in apparatus 10 in enlarged detail.
[0047] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that a conduit 42 is formed in and
extends through head 18 into a nozzle 40 from conduit 22. Nozzle 40
is basically centered in the middle of bristles 20 and extends at
least approximately halfway from head 18 through bristles 40. It is
furthermore noted that nozzle 40 has a very small aperture 44
through which the fluid can be disbursed.
[0048] It is further important to note that there is intentionally
an open area 45 around nozzle 40 (extending from the bottom of head
18 to the distal ends of bristles 20). Dashed line 46 is used to
indicate that open area where no bristles 20 exist.
[0049] Head 18 can be made of plastic material. One end of conduit
42 would comprise threaded aperture 50 which receives the threaded
male end 52 of connector 54, which in turn can receive a male
threaded end 56 of handle 22 into a threaded aperture therein. It
should be noted that the fittings comprising 52, 54, and 56 can be
made of metal, for example brass or other corrosion resistant
metals. Furthermore, to provide a sealing action against leakage,
Teflon tape can be utilized between threaded parts, such as known
in the art. An alternative is nitrile tape. Use of such materials
is beneficial because rubber seals such as (rubber O-rings), could
be corroded by the liquid protectorant.
[0050] Nozzle 40 has a male threaded into 58 that fits within the
female thread of aperture 60 at the other end of conduit 42 in head
18. As can be seen further in FIG. 6, nozzle tip 62 in turn can be
threaded via its male threaded end 64 into the other part of nozzle
40 indicated at reference number 66.
[0051] As illustrated by lines 67, nozzle 40 functions to mist or
spray liquid protectorant delivered through conduit 42 in a manner
that would exit open area 45. Bristles 20 would essentially
surround, by 360.degree., nozzle 40 and therefore fluid could not
pass through bristles 20 and thus is constrained to pass out of
opening 45 or strike the innermost bristles 20 relative to nozzle
40.
[0052] FIGS. 5-7 illustrated in detail of the structure of nozzle
40. It is pointed out that nozzle 40 is easily replaceable and
removable for maintenance and cleaning. It is also removeable to
interchange nozzle size and for spray characteristics. By referring
particular FIG. 6, it can be shown that portion 66 of nozzle 40
includes a bore 68 having an upper open end 70. Bore 68 increases
somewhat in diameter at its lower portion (see reference numeral
72). In portion 72 of bore 68 is a screen 74 that is annular is
shape and covers the bottom end of bore 68.
[0053] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the very tip 76 of nozzle 40 has a
bore 78 longitudinally therethrough with an upper end 80 in fluid
communication with bore 68. An insert 82 is threaded into tip 76.
Dashed lines 84 and 85 illustrate the flow path of fluid through
insert 82. The fluid is allowed to travel longitudinally along
nozzle 40 until the location indicated at 86 which blocks further
axial movement. Fluid has to travel around sides of part 86 (see
annular void 88 in FIG. 7, and then enter channel 90 where it flows
out increasingly constricted pinhole 92.
[0054] The detailed structure of nozzle 40 is discussed for the
following reason. By utilizing such a nozzle, the fluid first must
pass in pressurized fashion through screen 74. This filters out any
solid particulars and serves to break up the fluid. The fluid is
then forced through increasingly smaller passage ways until it
finally must travel around part 86 and through very small channel
90 and then out an increasingly constricted pinhole 92. The
cooperation of these elements therefore causes good aeration and
essentially atomizing or misting as it leaves pinhole 92. By doing
so, economy in the use of the fluid is achieved along with the
efficiency of use of fluid.
[0055] Operation of device 10 is shown by referring to the Figures
and is as follows. The combination of FIG. 1 is assembled. The
fluid to be dispensed is placed into canister 16 by filling cap 36.
Cap 36 is sealingly replaced, cap 38 is removed, and canister 16 is
pressurized or charged through conventional valve 38 (with valve
core)(through a standard air chuck operatively connected to the air
stem valve 38 via a bicycle pump or other pressurized air source).
Valve 38 is identical to an air valve on a bicycle tire. Nozzle 40
has been pre-designed to extend downwardly the distance relative to
the length of bristles 20. It is noted that a benefit of this is
that if the user presses bristles 20 too hard on a surface, the
distal end of nozzle 40 would prevent complete bending and possible
deformation or damage to bristles 20 or when bristles rebound,
deters splattering.
[0056] The head 18 has been designed so that bristles 20 are
approximately 21/2 inches in length. They are intentionally
selected to be of the type that have a soft edge that tends to
absorb some of the product like a sponge.
[0057] Nozzle 40 extends approximately 11/4 inch down through
bristles 20. The unobstructed area 45 around nozzle 40 is
approximately 1 to 11/2 inches wide. The remainder of the bristles
20 occupy the remainder of the approximately 41/2 inch diameter of
brush head 18.
[0058] Nozzle opening 44 is very small, almost pinhole size.
Examples are #2 (0.025" diam.) and #4 (0.050" diam.) nozzle sizes;
#2 for lighter fluids and #4 for heavier fluids. It is preferred
that liquid lighter than No. 10 motor oil be used with device 10.
It the liquid is too heavy, more of a pin-stream than a mist is
produced. Therefore, if the liquid is too heavy, one might dilute
it or use a slightly larger hole size for nozzle opening 44 (e.g.
#2 for lighter fluids and #4 for heavier fluids).
[0059] Canister 16 is pressurized to maximum pressure of 200 psi.
The maximum liquid capacity is 32 ounces. It has been found that 40
psi is about the minimum pressurization for good operability.
[0060] The combination of the pressurization of the fluid and the
pinhole opening 44 results in a mist-like or almost vaporized
discharge of the fluid through nozzle 40. The unobstructed space
around nozzle 40 allows the misted fluid to get to the surface and
then the brush bristles are used to spread it out evenly
thereover.
[0061] As seen in FIG. 1, canister 16 handled 34 can be gripped
with one hand of the user and applicator 12 with the other hand of
the user. The user can then efficiently walk to automobile 8 and
tire sidewall 9 and easily place the brush bristles 20 directly to
sidewall 9. The bristles should be gently placed on sidewall 9,
preferably at the middle of one side of the tire.
[0062] Lever 26 can be depressed and released to discharge the
misted fluid for short bursts and then released to allow the brush
to apply it to the surface. The fluid should be applied sparingly
and the brush gently moved clockwise following the outer edge of
the rim of the tire until a 360.degree. pass has been made. Then
the brush is moved counter-clockwise around the outer edge of the
sidewall for another 360.degree.. If needed, several other short
pulls of the trigger can be made to provide a little more fluid.
The whole tire is covered with two passes. Starting and finishing
at the middle prevents drips on the floor or on the tire.
[0063] Once the protectorant fluid is dispensed onto a portion of
sidewall 9, while bristles 20 protect against any liquid going to
an area other than the targeted part of sidewall 9, the user can
quickly and easily wipe or brush 20 around sidewall 9. The brush
allows the liquid to be worked into the targeted surface. Short
bursts of trigger 26 can be made according to need and experience
to dispense appropriate amounts of liquid protectorant on sidewall
9 and simultaneously wipe and work the protectorant comprehensively
around the sidewall 9. Once entire sidewall 9 has been treated, the
user can easily move apparatus 10 to the next tire or location.
[0064] It will be appreciated the present invention can take many
forms and embodiments. The true incense and spirit of this
invention are defined in the impended claims, and it is not
intended that the embodiment of the invention presented here and
should limit the scope thereof. Variations obvious to one skill in
the art will be included with the invention, within the invention
defined by the claims.
[0065] For example, the type of nozzle can vary according to need
and desire. In the preferred embodiment, the nozzle mists or
atomizes or vaporizes the fluid. In certain circumstances, more
volume and less misting of the fluid may be desirable.
[0066] The exact position of the nozzle 40 relative to the brush
bristles, including open area 45 in relationship of the distal end
of nozzle 40 relative to the applicator head 18 and the distal head
end of bristles 20, can be varied according to need. Bristles 20
can, for example, be flag-brush. They can have a fine but soft edge
and have some absorbent qualities.
[0067] Container 30 can be a metal canister, preferably stainless
steel. It specific size can be varied according to need and desire,
but it is preferred that it be easily portable by gripping and
moving in a hand-held manner. Different delivery systems could be
used including aerosol or by attachment to a central pressurized
distribution system.
[0068] The grip 28 for handle 22 can be {fraction (1/26)}" rubber
hose or a formed handle grip. It is preferred that handle 22 be
relatively short to allow for greater flexibility and
maneuverability of head 18 relative to targeted areas. Conduit 14
is preferred to be flexible but made of an material that resists
corrosion by material such as those used with the invention. An
example such hoses are those that are used to apply acidic
fluids.
[0069] Alternatively to canister 16, a larger container or a
pressurized air source could be used to push the product through
the brush. It is even possible to attach a plurality of brush
applicators 12 by a plurality of hoses 14 to a centralized source
of pressurized fluid. Hose 14 can be short or long. Examples are
5', 10' and 25'.
[0070] The valve 24 is placed near the brush applicator 12 instead
of at the canister 16 to eliminate any run-on of pressurized fluid
if the valve was at canister 16 and turned off. In other words,
having the valve at or near brush applicator 12 allows quicker
on/off of fluid discharge and therefore less waste of material.
[0071] Therefore, the device can apply a precisely controllable,
economical amount of the fluid, and allow it to be spread evenly
and thoroughly, without any need for contacting the user or being
placed on any intermediate applicator, such as a cloth. The mist is
contained within the open area of the brush bristles so as not to
be wasted on other than the surface intended, furthermore allowing
a more economical and efficient application of the substance.
[0072] It has been the experience of the inventor that an up to 80%
savings in the amount of fluid to be used (in this example
Armor-All.TM.) can be realized. This translates in substantial
economic savings.
[0073] By way of another example, it is the experience of the
inventor that in traditional methods, 4 ounces of liquid
protectorant are used per car (all four tires). But with the
present invention this amount has been reduced to approximately 1/2
ounce per car. Considering that an automobile detailing company
might go through over 50 gallons of liquid protectorant in a week,
the amount of savings cumulatively is substantial. Also, expense,
time and labor of washing rags or applicators is eliminated or
reduced, cleaning up spills, and damaging environment, users, or
non-targeting areas is reduced.
* * * * *