Aerosol Spray Cap with Removable Actuator for Adjustable Fan Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol can spray heads lack versatility, as they typically produce a fixed spray fan size, leading to wastage and overspray when painting smaller areas, as they do not allow for interchangeable or additional actuators to modify the spray pattern.
Innovation Solution
A spray cap with a built-in or removably installed actuator that provides a second spray pattern option, allowing users to choose between the cap's actuator and the can's actuator, featuring a recessed area with ergonomic design and flanges for easy installation and removal, enabling a range of spray fan sizes from less than one inch to over seven inches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed spray head is used with an aerosol can, then the can is simple in structure, but the spray pattern cannot be adjusted leading to paint wastage when painting smaller areas
Solution Approach 1:
The spray cap incorporates a removable actuator that allows the spray pattern to be dynamically adjusted. Users can remove the original actuator from the can and replace it with a different actuator from the cap to change the spray fan size from less than one inch to over seven inches, adapting to different painting needs and eliminating paint wastage on small areas
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spray pattern parameter by providing multiple actuators with different nozzle configurations. Each actuator produces a different spray fan width, allowing users to select the appropriate spray pattern for the task at hand, thereby preventing overspray and paint wastage
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are provided with the spray cap, then spray pattern versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray cap is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can accommodate multiple different actuators. The cap body includes a recessed area with a resilient bottom wall that can retain various actuators of different sizes and spray patterns, allowing one cap to serve multiple functions and provide spray pattern versatility without requiring separate caps for each actuator type
Solution Approach 2:
The actuators are stored within the cap structure itself. The cap includes a recessed area that houses the actuators, with flanges that facilitate easy insertion and removal. This nesting arrangement keeps multiple actuators organized and accessible within the cap, managing device complexity by integrating storage and retrieval mechanisms into the cap design
3Ease of operation
If an actuator is removably installed on the spray cap, then ease of actuator replacement is improved, but the reliability of actuator retention may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall of the recessed area is made resilient and flexible to accommodate the actuator. This flexible membrane allows the actuator to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining reliable retention during use. The flanges on opposite sides of the recessed area further facilitate easy insertion and removal, balancing ease of operation with secure retention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise control over spray patterns, reducing paint wastage and overspray by allowing users to select the appropriate actuator for specific painting tasks, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The recessed area can be resilient and flexible to accommodate inserting and removing the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A spray cap for use with an aerosol can having a body having a recessed area; and an actuator button removably stored on the recessed area in an opening formed in the recessed area. The recessed area is resilient and flexible to accommodate inserting and removing the actuator. The actuator has a top wall which is curved and ergonomically configured to receive a user's finger. The actuator comprises an opening for dispensing paint or other liquid. The recessed area has flanges on opposite sides of the opening to facilitate insertion and removal of the actuator thereon.