US 4,971,257 A · Electrostatic aerosol spray can assembly

Abstract

In an electrostatic particle spraying apparatus, a hand-held triggering mechanism is provided with a self-contained source of high D.C. voltage and a coupling sleeve into which a conventional aerosol spray can is inserted. A trigger mechanism is squeezed by a mechanism operator and closes a switch that completes an electrical connection between the D.C. voltage source and an electrode of the mechanism, creating an electric potential in the electrode. The electrode is positioned in the projected path of particle spray from the aerosol can, and continued depression of the trigger lever causes a hammer to contact and depress a nozzle tip of the aerosol can, releasing the pressurized fluid contents of the can from the nozzle tip in a projected path of particle spray. A distal end of the electrode extends into the projected path of particle spray. The electric potential of the electrode induces an electric charge of predetermined polarity in the spray of particles dispensed from the nozzle tip of the aerosol can thereby enhancing the atomization of the particles of spray and enhancing the depositing of the particles of spray on a grounded substrate surface.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An electrostatic particle spraying apparatus for use with aerosol spray cans, the apparatus comprising:

a hand-held coupling mechanism adapted to be connected to an aerosol can and to hold the can in a fixed position relative to the apparatus;
a tip adapted to be attached onto a valve stem of an aerosol can connected to the mechanism, and to be supplied with the contents of the can when the valve stem is opened;
a nozzle in fluid communication with the tip and adapted to spray the contents of the can supplied to the tip in a projected path away from the nozzle;
and
an electrode adapted to be connected to a voltage source, the electrodes having a distal end extending into the projected spray path of the nozzle and spaced a predetermined distance from the nozzle.

2 more elements

An electrostatic particle spraying apparatus arranged to induce a charge of predetermined polarity in particles sprayed from a conventional aerosol spray can, the can having a valve stem and a nozzle tip on the valve stem that dispenses pressurized contents of the can in a projected path as a spray of particles when the nozzle tip is pressed downward on the stem, the apparatus comprising:

a can holding and spraying means adapted to hold a conventional aerosol spray can in a fixed position relative to the apparatus to enable directing a projected path of particle spray from the can, and adapted to selectively depress a nozzle tip on an aerosol can held by the holding means to dispense the can contents in a projected path as a spray of particles;
a voltage source;
and
an electrode means having a first end that is selectively electrically connected to the voltage source and a second end that protrudes into a flow path of particles sprayed from a nozzle tip on an aerosol can held by the holding means, the electrode being adapted to be charged to an electric potential and to induce an electric charge of predetermined polarity in particles sprayed from an aerosol can held by the holding means when the electrode is connected to the voltage source.

1 more element

An electrostatic particle spraying apparatus for use in inducing an electric charge in particles of fluid sprayed from a conventional aerosol spray can having a valve stem and a nozzle tip attached on the stem for dispensing fluid contents of the can through and out of the nozzle tip as a spray of fluid particles when the nozzle tip is pressed downward on the stem, the apparatus comprising:

a modified nozzle tip to be attached to a valve stem of a conventional aerosol spray can;
a conduit passing through the modified tip and arranged to receive fluid contents from the can, and to dispense the received contents from the modified tip as a spray of fluid particles in a projected path when the modified tip is pressed downward on the valve stem;
an electrically conductive plate on an exterior surface of the modified tip;
and
an electrode adapted to be connected to a voltage source, the electrode being mounted on the modified tip, the electrode having first and second ends with the first end of the electrode being electrically connected to the conductive plate.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrostatic aerosol spray can assembly

Life of this patent

Electrostatic aerosol spray can assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23