Fluid dispensing system and methods relating thereto

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9643199-B2
Application number	US-201514732384-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 5, 2015
Priority date	Jun 6, 2014
Publication date	May 9, 2017
Grant date	May 9, 2017

Abstract

A sprayer system includes a trigger sprayer having a trigger, a pump mechanism, and a nozzle. The sprayer system further includes a solvent reservoir for accommodating a solvent substance and a bottle for accommodating a concentrate substance. Further, the solvent reservoir is positioned above the trigger sprayer and is in fluid communication with the trigger sprayer and the bottle is positioned below the trigger sprayer and is in fluid communication with the trigger sprayer.

First claim

We claim:

1. A sprayer system, comprising:
a trigger sprayer including a trigger, a pump mechanism, and a nozzle;
a solvent reservoir for accommodating a solvent substance; and
a bottle for accommodating a concentrate substance,
wherein the solvent reservoir is positioned above the trigger sprayer and is in fluid communication with the trigger sprayer, and
wherein the bottle contains the concentrate substance, is positioned below the trigger sprayer and is in fluid communication with the trigger sprayer.

2. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein the solvent substance is provided within the solvent reservoir and comprises at least one of water, tap water, distilled water, spring water, mineral water, deionized water, bleach, vinegar, an antibacterial solution, a deodorizing substance, a cleaning substance, a surfactant solution, a chelant solution, a degreasing solution, a soap solution, an alcohol, an insecticide, an enzyme solution, a color changing dye or indicator, a fragrance, a corrosion inhibitor, an anti-microbial, a preservative, an odor eliminator, a pH-adjuster, a surfactant, or a solvent mixed with particulates.

3. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein the solvent reservoir includes a reservoir lid to provide a fluid tight seal.

4. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein the concentrate substance comprises at least one of a fragrance, an insecticide, an insect repellent, a deodorizing agent, an odor eliminator, a mold or mildew inhibitor, a cleaning agent, a polisher, an enzyme, or combinations thereof.

5. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein the concentrate substance comprises a non-Newtonian spray enhancer.

6. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein the bottle includes a neck with threads to facilitate attachment to the trigger sprayer.

7. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein the solvent reservoir has a fill volume of from about 10 mL to about 200 mL or about 50 mL to about 80 mL.

8. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein the bottle has a fill volume of from about 100 mL to about 500 mL, or from about 250 mL to about 500 mL, or from about 100 mL to about 250 mL.

9. The sprayer system of claim 1 , wherein upon actuation of the trigger, a dispensable mixture is released having a ratio of about 2 parts solvent substance to about 1 part concentrate substance or about 64 parts solvent substance to about 1 part concentrate substance.

10. A sprayer system, comprising:
a solvent reservoir positioned above and in fluid communication with a trigger sprayer, and
a concentrate bottle positioned below and in fluid communication with the trigger sprayer, and
a dip tube configured to draw concentrate from the concentrate bottle for delivery to the trigger sprayer,
wherein the trigger sprayer includes a trigger, a pump mechanism, and a nozzle, and
wherein the pump mechanism includes at least two valves and a mixing chamber.

11. The sprayer system of claim 10 , wherein the pump mechanism includes a concentrate valve in fluid communication with and positioned between the mixing chamber and a distal end of the dip tube and a solvent valve in fluid communication with and positioned between the solvent reservoir and the mixing chamber.

12. The sprayer system of claim 11 , wherein the concentrate valve further includes a restrictor.

13. The sprayer system of claim 11 , wherein the concentrate valve and solvent valve are one of a duckbill valve, a flap valve, or a disk valve.

14. The sprayer system of claim 13 , wherein the concentrate valve and the solvent valve are formed from at least one of fluorosilicone, silicone, styrene-butadiene, nitrile, ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM), natural rubber, butyl, ethylene, polyurethane, fluorocarbon, neoprene, or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

15. The sprayer system of claim 13 , whereupon actuation of the trigger a dispensable mixture is released having a ratio of about 8 parts of a solvent substance from the solvent reservoir to about 1 part of a concentrate substance from the concentrate bottle.

16. A method for directing the use of a sprayer system, comprising:
providing a sprayer system including a solvent reservoir, a trigger, a pump mechanism, and a nozzle, wherein the solvent reservoir is positioned above and in fluid communication with at least one of the pump mechanism, the trigger, and the nozzle;
providing a bottle including a concentrate; and
providing instructions for stain removal to a user comprising the steps of:
unpacking the sprayer system,
selecting and attaching the bottle to the sprayer system with the bottle positioned below and in fluid communication with at least one of the pump mechanism, the trigger, and the nozzle,
filling the solvent reservoir with hot water,
pointing the nozzle at a stained surface and squeezing the trigger of the sprayer system,
letting the stained surface sit for a predetermined dwell time, and
cleaning the stained surface.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the concentrate is a concentrated form of a stain remover.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the temperature of the water is at least about 140° F.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the surface is an article and the article is cleaned by laundering the article.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the dwell time is about 1 minute to about 5 minutes.

Assignees

• Johnson & Son Inc S C

Inventors

• Petkus Matthew Michael
• Barron Bradley J
• Bellante Jonathan D
• Forkner Stacey L
• Han Hua
• Pujara Palak
• Spang Jr Ronald H
• Van Handel Mark J
• Zach Steven A

Classifications

• B05B11/1057

  Triggers, i.e. actuation means consisting of a single lever having one end rotating or pivoting around an axis or a hinge fixedly attached to the container, and another end directly actuated by the user · CPC title

• B05B11/1081

  Arrangements for pumping several liquids or other fluent materials from several containers, e.g. for mixing them at the moment of pumping · CPC title

• C11D7/50

  Solvents · CPC title

• C11D17/041

  Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means · CPC title

• B05B7/2472

  comprising several containers · CPC title