U.S. patent application number 13/954041 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for vented dispensing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to DIGITAL INNOVATIONS, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Tony J. Abfall, Paul Holbrook, Kara Lineal. Invention is credited to Tony J. Abfall, Paul Holbrook, Kara Lineal.
Application Number | 20140158712 13/954041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45995553 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140158712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abfall; Tony J. ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
Vented Dispensing Device
Abstract
The dispensing device provides dispensable material in a
closable container in concert with a corresponding accessory so
that the container and the accessory can be commonly stored when
not in use, and further provides a ventilated storage volume within
the device that can facilitate drying and aerating the
accessory.
Inventors: |
Abfall; Tony J.; (Mount
Prospect, IL) ; Lineal; Kara; (Northbrook, IL)
; Holbrook; Paul; (Buffalo Grove, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Abfall; Tony J.
Lineal; Kara
Holbrook; Paul |
Mount Prospect
Northbrook
Buffalo Grove |
IL
IL
IL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DIGITAL INNOVATIONS, LLC
Arlington Heights
IL
|
Family ID: |
45995553 |
Appl. No.: |
13/954041 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13288742 |
Nov 3, 2011 |
|
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|
13954041 |
|
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|
12712569 |
Feb 25, 2010 |
8523020 |
|
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13288742 |
|
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61155432 |
Feb 25, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/75 20130101;
A61L 9/12 20130101; B65D 83/38 20130101; B65D 51/28 20130101; B05B
11/0038 20180801; A61L 9/14 20130101; B65D 51/16 20130101; B65D
83/285 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/131 |
International
Class: |
B05B 11/00 20060101
B05B011/00 |
Claims
1. A vented dispensing device comprising: a removable fabric wipe
cloth; a container that includes: a dispenser adapted to dispense
liquid contents; a vented inner cover having a plurality of vent
openings adapted to retain the wipe cloth proximal to the container
in a storage configuration; the vented inner cover defining an
accessory storage volume between the vented inner cover and the
container in the storage configuration, said vented inner cover
adapted to allow independent removal of the wipe cloth in a use
configuration and to store and dry said fabric wipe cloth in the
storage configuration; a rotatable outer cover with plurality of
vent openings corresponding to the vent openings in the inner
cover, said outer cover rotatable between an open position and a
closed position, wherein said wipe cloth is exposed to air in said
open position and protected from penetration of contaminants in
said closed position.
2. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the wipe cloth is a
towel.
3. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said vent openings are
substantially uniformly distributed around said vented inner and
outer covers.
4. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said dispenser is
connected to a dispensing pump.
5. A dispensing apparatus comprising: a reservoir containing a
dispensable fluid; a dispensing nozzle attached to said reservoir;
a perforated or porous cover covering said dispensing nozzle and at
least a portion of said reservoir, said cover defining a storage
space around and above said reservoir, wherein said storage space
can receive and store a removable cloth wipe adapted to clean an
electronic device screen, and wherein said cloth wipe can be
independently removed from said storage space by removing said
cover and stored in said storage space by replacing said cover.
6. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said perforated or
porous cover contains a plurality of holes.
7. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cloth wipe can
be draped over said nozzle when said removable perforated or porous
cover is in place.
8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said dispensing
nozzle is connected to a dispensing pump.
9. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said dispensable
fluid is a liquid.
10. The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a
removable solid cover adapted to fit over said perforated or porous
cover.
11. The dispensing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said removable
solid cover can also fit on a bottom end of said reservoir when not
in use.
12. A dispensing apparatus comprising an elongated bottle adapted
to contain and spray-dispense a liquid, the elongated bottle having
an upper end and a lower end with a removable cap on the upper end,
the removable cap forming a space between it and the bottle which
can store a removable fabric towel unattached to said removable cap
or bottle, said removable towel capable of cleaning an electronic
device screen, and wherein the removable cap comprises an inner cap
and an outer cap, wherein the inner cap has a plurality of holes,
and the outer cap fits over the inner cap, and wherein said towel
can be independently removed from said space for use as a cleaning
wipe by removing said cap.
13. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the outer cap
contains a plurality of corresponding holes to the holes in the
inner cap and wherein the outer cap can be rotated with respect to
the inner cap to either align the corresponding holes allowing air
to pass in and moisture to pass out of said holes, or misalign the
corresponding holes preventing contamination from entering said
holes.
14. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein said holes are
elongated slots.
15. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein said holes are
round.
16. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the outer cap is
solid and can be removed from the inner cap.
17. The dispensing apparatus of claim 16 wherein the outer cap can
be stored on the lower end of said bottle when not in use.
18. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein said inner cap is
porous and said holes result from said porosity.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/288,742
filed Nov. 3, 2011 which was a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 12/712,569 filed Feb. 25, 2010. Application Ser. No.
12/712,569 claimed priority from application No. 61/155,432 filed
Feb. 25, 2009. Application Ser. Nos. 12/712,569 61/155,432 and
13/288,742 are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
[0002] The vented dispensing device can provide dispensable
material in a closable container in concert with a suitable
applicator so that the container and the applicator can be
cooperatively stored when not in use. The dispensing device can
further provide a ventilated storage volume within the device that
can facilitate drying the applicator, for example when the
dispensed container contents comprise liquids, and for aerating the
applicator, for example to minimize mold growth and other unwanted
conditions that can be minimized by air flow. Other benefits can be
realized by the ventilated storage volume configuration beyond the
aforementioned, including but not limited to dispersing fragrance
and masking environmental odor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one embodiment, the vented dispensing device can comprise
a dispensing accessory and a container. The container can comprise
a dispensing nozzle for dispensing container contents, and a vented
cover for retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the
container. The vented cover in use can connect to the container and
can define an accessory storage volume between the vented cover and
the container. The vented cover can have a vent opening extending
through the vented cover to ventilate the storage volume; and at
least part of the dispensing accessory can be confined within the
storage volume when the vented cover is in use.
[0004] In another embodiment, the vented dispensing device can
comprise a dispensing accessory and a container. The container can
comprise a dispensing nozzle for dispensing container contents. The
dispensing nozzle can have a trigger and a trigger cap, where the
trigger cap can be connected to the container and spaced apart from
the trigger. The trigger cap in use can limit contact between the
dispensing accessory and the trigger. The container can further
comprise a vented cover for retaining the dispensing accessory
proximal to the container. The vented cover in use can connect to
the container and can define an accessory storage volume between
the vented cover and the container. The vented cover can have at
least one vent opening extending through the vented cover to
ventilate the storage volume, and at least part of the dispensing
accessory can be confined within the storage volume when the vented
cover is in use.
[0005] In another embodiment, the vented dispensing device can
comprise a dispensing accessory and a container. The container can
comprise a nozzle end, a reservoir end, and a trunk connecting the
nozzle end and the reservoir end. The container can further
comprise a dispensing nozzle connected to the nozzle end, the
nozzle for dispensing container contents. The nozzle can comprise a
trigger, with the trigger being movable to release container
contents through the nozzle. The container can further comprise a
trigger guard extending along a trigger perimeter, the trigger
guard limiting access to the trigger across the perimeter. The
container can further comprise a vented cover in use retaining the
dispensing accessory proximal to the container. The vented cover
can comprise an open end and vent end. The open end can be
configured to receive the trunk, the nozzle end, and the nozzle,
and to connect to the container proximal to the reservoir end. The
vent end can comprise a plurality of vent openings through the
vented cover, the vent openings positioned to facilitate airflow
around the nozzle when the vented cover is in use. The vented cover
in use can connect to the container to define an accessory storage
volume between the vented cover and the container, and at least
part of the dispensing accessory can be confined in the storage
volume when the vented cover is in use.
FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the
dispensing device.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the above embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side section view of the above embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of a dispensing
nozzle with a trigger guard showing a trigger perimeter.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side section view of another embodiment
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another embodiment including a
trigger cap, a cover nozzle opening and an accessory nozzle
opening.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side section view of the above embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a side section view of another embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with a rotating outer cap.
[0015] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment with a plurality of holes.
[0016] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment with holes on the top and a
rotating outer cap.
[0017] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment with holes and a removable solid
outer cap.
[0018] FIG. 13 shows storing the outer cap of FIG. 12 on the bottom
of the container.
[0019] FIG. 14 shows a porous cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The vented dispensing device can comprise a dispensing
accessory and a container. The container can hold dispensable
material such as cleaning fluid, finishes like polish and wax,
powder, compressed air and other gases, and various other materials
and combinations thereof.
[0021] The container can comprise various geometric and organic
shapes. The container can be cylindrical, prismatic, cone-shaped,
and various shapes and combinations thereof.
[0022] The container can be configured with engagement features,
for example, depressions, protrusions, hooks, forks, and various
other features and combinations thereof.
[0023] The container can further comprise a plurality of content
sections, for example, separate sections for holding different
contents.
[0024] The container can comprise a nozzle end, a reservoir end,
and a trunk connecting the nozzle end and the reservoir end. The
container can be open at the nozzle end, and can have various other
openings.
[0025] The dispensing accessory can be utilized to apply container
contents, can be utilized to remove dispensed container contents,
for example excess material, overspray, and used cleaning fluid,
can be used to buff, polish, shine, and otherwise affect
finish.
[0026] The dispensing accessory can be a towel, a soft pad, a
sponge, and various other accessories and combinations thereof. The
dispensing accessory can be a brush, a cotton ball, and a swab.
[0027] The container can comprise a dispensing nozzle for
dispensing container contents. The dispensing nozzle can
selectively open and close the container. The dispensing nozzle can
close the container at the nozzle end.
[0028] The dispensing nozzle can comprise a pump, a valve, a hinged
flap, and various dispensing mechanisms and combinations thereof.
The dispensing nozzle can comprise an opening such as an orifice,
an aperture, and an elongate tube. The dispensing nozzle can
comprise a plurality of openings. The dispensing nozzle can have an
open position and a closed position. The dispensing nozzle can have
a plurality of open positions, for example, when utilized with a
container having a plurality of content sections, the open
positions from the plurality of open positions can correlate to
respective container content sections.
[0029] The container can further comprise a vented cover. The
vented cover can facilitate retaining the dispensing accessory
proximal to the container. The vented cover in use can connect to
the container and define an accessory storage volume between the
vented cover and the container.
[0030] The vented cover can receive at least part of the container
within the vented cover. For example, the vented cover can be
configured to enclose the container including the nozzle within the
storage volume. Alternatively, the vented cover can enclose the
vented cover except for the nozzle within the storage volume.
Alternatively, the vented cover can be configured to enclose the
nozzle in one position, and to enclose the container except for the
nozzle in another position. Alternatively, the vented cover can
connect to the container and not receive a part of the container
within the vented cover.
[0031] The vented cover can comprise a vent opening extending
through the vented cover. The vent opening can facilitate air flow
into and out of the accessory storage volume to ventilate the
accessory storage volume.
[0032] The vent opening can be positioned on the vented cover to
ventilate a predetermined part of the storage volume, for example,
to ventilate the storage volume proximal to the nozzle. Similarly,
other parts of the storage volume where moisture is likely to
collect can be targeted by positioning the vent opening to
ventilate the predetermined part of the storage volume. The vented
cover can comprise an open end and a nozzle end and can be
configured to receive the container including the nozzle through
the open end so that the nozzle is positioned proximal the nozzle
end when the vented cover is in use.
[0033] The vented cover, in use connected to the container, can
confine at least part of the dispensing accessory within the
accessory storage volume. Confining part of the dispensing
accessory within the accessory storage volume can facilitate
retaining the dispensing accessory proximal to the container when
the dispensing accessory is not in use.
[0034] When the vented cover is in use and part of the dispensing
accessory is confined within the accessory storage volume, the vent
opening can facilitate drying the accessory and can prevent
accumulation of excess container content on the accessory and
within the storage volume.
[0035] The vented cover can comprise a plurality of vent openings.
The plurality of vent openings can be positioned on the vented
cover so that each vent opening ventilates one or more
predetermined parts of the storage volume.
[0036] The vented cover can be configured to define a plurality of
accessory storage volumes between the vented cover and the
container, when the vented cover is in use. The vented cover can
confine at least parts of dispensing accessories from a plurality
of dispensing accessories within the plurality of accessory storage
volumes.
[0037] The container can comprise a plurality of vented covers and
each cover from the plurality of vented covers can connect to the
container directly and can connect to the container via connecting
to another cover from the plurality of vented covers.
[0038] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the dispensing
device 10 comprises a dispensing accessory 11, a container 21, a
dispensing nozzle 25, and a vented cover 31.
[0039] The dispensing accessory 11 comprises a cloth-like accessory
for applying, distributing, and removing dispensed container
contents.
[0040] The container 21 comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped
trunk 24 with a reduced neck at the nozzle end 22 and a larger
cylindrically-shaped reservoir end 23. The nozzle 25 closes the
container 21 at the nozzle end 22.
[0041] The vented cover 31 connects to the container 21 and defines
an accessory storage volume 41 between the vented cover 31 and the
container 21. In use, the vented cover 31 receives the container 21
through the vented cover open end 34 and connects to the container
21 proximal the container reservoir end 23. The vented cover 31
encloses the nozzle 25 within the accessory storage volume 41.
[0042] The vented cover 31 comprises a plurality of vent openings,
such as the vent opening 32. The vent opening 32 extends through
the vented cover 31 and enables air to flow through the vented
cover 31 and facilitates ventilating the storage volume 41. In use
connected to the container 21, the vent opening 32 is positioned at
the vent end 35 to ventilate the storage volume 41 proximal to the
nozzle 25.
[0043] As shown explicitly in FIGS. 1 and 3, the dispensing
accessory 11 is confined within the storage volume 41 when the
vented cover 21 is in use. The cloth-like accessory 11 can drape
over the nozzle 25 and extend along the container trunk 24. With
the vented cover 31 in use connected to the container 21, the
dispensing accessory 11 is substantially confined within the
accessory storage volume 41 between the vented cover 31 and the
container 21.
[0044] Additionally, when the dispensing accessory 11 is confined
within the storage volume 41 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the vent
opening 32 is positioned to ventilate the middle part of the
dispensing accessory 11. Observations of common usage have shown
that the middle part of the cloth-like accessory 11 can accumulate
excess container contents and so benefits from maximum
ventilation.
[0045] The nozzle can comprise a trigger for causing the nozzle to
dispense container contents. The trigger can be movable to release
container contents through the nozzle. The trigger can activate
another component to cause release of container contents. The
trigger can cause dispensing via various means and methods.
[0046] The trigger can comprise a spray head with a
finger-positioning depression, a lever for pumping container
contents from the container through the nozzle, a valve release
actuator, and a pushbutton. The trigger can comprise various other
mechanisms and indicators and combinations thereof, which
facilitate dispensing container contents via the nozzle.
[0047] The nozzle 25 of the container 21 comprises a trigger 26.
The trigger 26 is movable to release container contents, for
example, to release pressurized gases.
[0048] The container can further comprise a trigger cap. The
trigger cap can prevent unintentional trigger movement and can
prevent accidental dispensing of the container contents. The
trigger cap can be positioned proximal to the trigger and can limit
contact between the dispensing accessory and the trigger,
especially when the dispensing accessory is confined within the
storage volume.
[0049] The trigger cap can enclose the trigger and can enclose the
nozzle. Alternatively, the trigger cap can extend adjacent to the
trigger to limit contact between the dispensing accessory and the
trigger.
[0050] The trigger cap can comprise a trigger guard extending along
a trigger perimeter, where the trigger perimeter at least party
encircles the trigger. The trigger guard can limit access to the
trigger across the perimeter and enable access to the trigger from
other directions. The trigger guard can provide similar protection
as the trigger cap against accidental discharge while still
enabling selective access to the trigger while the trigger guard is
in use.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the container 21 includes a
trigger cap comprising a trigger guard 28. The trigger guard 28
extends over the trigger 26 along a trigger perimeter 29, and
limits access to the trigger 26 across the trigger perimeter 29.
With the trigger guard 28 in use, access to the trigger 26 is
enabled through (but not across) the trigger perimeter 29. When the
dispensing accessory 11 is confined within the storage volume 41,
the dispensing accessory 11 can be spaced apart from the trigger 26
by the trigger guard 28 to prevent accidental discharge of
container contents.
[0052] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the dispensing device 110
comprises a container 121. The container 121 is generally
cylindrically-shaped including a reduced neck at the nozzle end 22
and a larger trunk 24 connecting the nozzle end 22 and the
reservoir end 23.
[0053] The container 121 comprises a nozzle 25 with a trigger 26,
where the nozzle 25 closes the container 121 at the nozzle end 22.
The container 121 further comprises a trigger cap 27. The trigger
cap 27 in use fully covers the trigger 26 to prevent accidental
discharge.
[0054] The vented cover 31 of the dispensing device 110 connects to
the container 121 proximal the trunk 24, enclosing the reservoir
end 23 and not enclosing the nozzle 22 and the trigger cap 27. The
dispensing accessory 11 is confined within the accessory storage
volume 41 when the vented cover 31 is in use. The vented cover 31
comprises a plurality of vent openings, such as the vent opening
32, and the vent opening 32 is positioned on the vent cover 31 so
that the storage volume 41 is ventilated proximal to the dispensing
accessory 11.
[0055] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the dispensing
device 210 comprises a container 21, a dispensing accessory 211,
and a vented cover 231. The dispensing accessory 211 further
comprises an accessory nozzle opening 12 through the middle part of
the dispensing accessory 211. The vented cover 231 further
comprises a cover nozzle opening 33 through the vent end 35 of the
vented cover 231.
[0056] The container 21 comprises a nozzle 25 with a trigger 26,
where the nozzle 25 closes the container 21 at the nozzle end 22.
The container 21 further comprises a trigger cap 27. The trigger
cap 27 in use fully covers the trigger 26 to prevent accidental
discharge.
[0057] The vented cover 231 connects to the container 21 and
defines an accessory storage volume 41 between the vented cover 231
and the container 21. In use, the vented cover 331 receives the
container 21 through the vented cover open end 34 and connects to
the container 21 proximal the reservoir end 23. The vented cover 31
encloses the container 21 and not the nozzle 25 within the
accessory storage volume 41.
[0058] When the vented cover 31 is in use, the nozzle 25 and the
trigger cap 27 protrude through the accessory nozzle opening 12 and
through the cover nozzle opening 33 so that the nozzle 25 and the
trigger cap 27 are accessible when the vented cover 231 is in
use.
[0059] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the dispensing device 310
comprises a vent cover 231 having a cover nozzle opening 33 and a
dispensing accessory 11 with no accessory nozzle opening. When the
vented cover 231 is in use, the nozzle 25 and the trigger cap 27
protrude through the cover nozzle opening 33 but are covered by the
dispensing accessory 11. The dispensing accessory 11 drapes over
the nozzle 25 and the trigger cap 27 and passes into the accessory
storage volume 41 through the cover nozzle opening 33 to be
confined within the storage volume 41.
[0060] The dispenser of the present invention finds many uses. A
very important use is to clean the screens of computer devices such
as monitors, laptop screens, smart-phone screens and any other type
of computer screen.
[0061] Other uses can be for household cleaners, glass cleaner,
furniture polish, multi-surface cleaner, glasses cleaner,
motorcycle glasses cleaner, windshield cleaner, portable cleaners
for cars, leather cleaner. In addition, the present invention finds
application in shoe polish dispensers, facewash--travel version,
makeup remover--travel version, jewelry cleaner, body wash, shaving
cream and the like. Any portable cleaner or liquid dispenser with a
cloth that needs to be stored or dried is within the scope of the
present invention.
[0062] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. The
cap includes an inner cap 53 with vent openings or slots similar to
what has been previously described with a rotating outer cap 51
that covers the inner cap 53 and can block or cover the inner slots
in some positions of rotations and either partially, or totally,
expose them in other positions of rotation. This allows the cloth
11 to dry in the open position, but protects it from dirt and grime
in the closed position. The second cap 51 can fit over the inner
cap 53 and rotate about the axis of the bottle 31. In the open
position, the slots are typically wide open and air can easily pass
through the cap and dry the cloth 11. When the outer cap 51 is in
the closed position, the solid material between the slots on the
outer cap can completely cover the slots to block dirt, grime, oil
and other contaminates. The outer cap 51 can optionally have a
detent where it can be clicked into the closed position to hold it
and to assure the user that the cap is closed.
[0063] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention with a
perforated cap 32. The cap can contain a number of holes or
perforations 54 rather than the slots of previous embodiments. This
embodiment is less expensive and easier to manufacture since it
only requires one fixed cap 54 on the bottle 31 and likely no side
action on the mold if made via injection molding.
[0064] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment with a perforations 55 in the
top of the cap, but with an inner cap also containing similar
perforations. When the outer cap is rotated, the outer perforations
55 can miss-align with the inner ones closing the cap, and hence
protecting from dirt and grime.
[0065] An alternative to the embodiment of FIG. 11 is shown in FIG.
12. Here, a single cap 32 with perforations 54 is fixed, and a
removable second cap 55 slides down over the fixed cap 32 closing
the holes 54. This has the advantage of being cheaper and easier to
manufacture than a rotating cap.
[0066] FIG. 13 show the embodiment of FIG. 12 where the cap 55 can
be stored on the bottom of the bottle 31 when not in use simply by
slipping it over the bottom end.
[0067] Fig. shows an alternative embodiment with a single fixed cap
56 that is made of a porous material. The pore size can be large
enough to allow air in and moisture out, but small enough to
prevent or reduce entry of dirt, most dust, oil and the like.
[0068] Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented
to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in
the art will realize that numerous changes and variations can be
made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of
these changes and variations is within the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *