Multi-functional fluid dispensing system and associated methods for dispensing

Abstract

A multi-functional fluid dispensing system and method for dispensing fluid which provides an end-user the ability to control the fluid flow dispensed from the container while, in some embodiments, providing illumination of a target area to which the fluids are desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-functional dispensing system for dispensing a fluid from a container, the system comprising:
 a fluid dispensing assembly configured to dispense the fluid; and   a flow selection control assembly in communication with the fluid dispensing assembly and configured to allow control of flow in the fluid dispensing assembly by selecting between (i) an on state, (ii) an off state and (iii) a locked and off state.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow selection control assembly further comprises a flow volume control selector configured to be moveable to select between (i) the on state, (ii) the off state and (iii) the locked and off state. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the flow volume control selector includes a plurality of grip ribs disposed about an exterior surface of the flow volume control selector ring. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the grip ribs is connected to a body of the flow selection control assembly via a biasing member, wherein the biasing member provides for inward movement of the at least one of the grip ribs toward the body, wherein the inward movement is required to provide for changing the dispensing system at least from the locked and off state. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one of the grip ribs further comprises two grip ribs disposed approximately 180° apart about the flow volume control selector ring. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the two grip ribs are connected to a body of the flow selection control assembly via separate biasing members, wherein the biasing members provide for inward movement of the two grip ribs toward the body, wherein the inward movement of the two grip ribs is required to provide for changing the dispensing system at least to or from the locked and off state. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an illumination assembly comprising:
 a housing including a pushbutton,   an illumination source configured to be received by the housing,   a switch operable to activate the illumination source; and   a power source in communication with the illumination source operable to provide power to the illumination source,   wherein the power source is removable from the dispensing system.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the illumination assembly is removably connected to the dispensing head housing assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid dispensing assembly is further defined as a fluid dispensing selector assembly that is configured to allow for selection between a wide-area spray dispensing of the fluid and a stream dispensing of the fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow selection control assembly is further configured to allow control of flow in the fluid dispensing assembly by selecting between (i) the on state, (ii) the off state, (iii) the locked and off state and (iv) a measured fluid amount on state, wherein the measured fluid on state provides a predetermined amount of fluid to be dispensed. 
     
     
         11 . A multi-functional dispensing system for dispensing a fluid from a container, the system comprising:
 a fluid dispensing assembly configured to dispense the fluid;   an illumination assembly including an illumination source and a power source in communication with the illumination source;   a housing including a pushbutton, wherein the housing is configured to receive the illumination source; and   a switch in communication with the power source, wherein activation of the switch provides power to the illumination source.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the pushbutton is engage-able to active the switch prior to dispensing the fluid from the fluid dispensing assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the illumination source is configured to be activated without dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the illumination source is disposed proximate the spray nozzle, and wherein a first direction of illumination is generally aligned with a second direction of fluid spray from the spray nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the illumination assembly further comprises a flow direction icon that is disposed proximate the illumination source and is within a general line-of-sight of a user. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the power source is removable from the dispensing system. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the illumination assembly is removably connected to the dispensing head housing assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the switch is further defined as a snap action-style dome-shaped switch. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the illumination source is configured to be activated upon engaging the pushbutton and immediately prior to dispensing the fluid and deactivated upon disengaging the pushbutton and immediately after dispensing the fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the engaging and disengaging of the pushbutton is configured to occur via a single finger continuous motion of a user. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a flow selection control assembly in communication with the fluid dispensing assembly and configured to allow control of flow in the fluid dispensing assembly by selecting between (i) an on state, (ii) an off state, and (iii) a locked and off state. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the illumination source is configured to be activated while the flow selection control assembly is selected to be in any one of (i) the on state, (ii) the off state, and (iii) the locked and off state. 
     
     
         23 . A method for selecting a function state of a multi-function dispensing system for dispensing a fluid from a container, the method comprising:
 receiving a first user input to at least one of a plurality of grip ribs disposed about an exterior surface of a flow volume control selector included within dispensing system, wherein the first user input, moves the flow volume control selector to a position that provides for selecting one of (i) an on state or (ii) an off state; and   receiving a second user input to at least one moveable grip rib, wherein the second user input, moves the at least one moveable grip rib inward toward a center of the dispensing system while simultaneously moving the flow volume control selector to provide for locking or unlocking the dispensing system into or out of (iii) a locked and off state.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein receiving the second user input further comprises receiving the second user input to two moveable grip ribs, wherein the second user input, moves the two grip ribs inward toward the center of the dispensing system while simultaneously moving the flow volume control selector and provides for locking or unlocking the dispensing system at least into or out of (iii) the locked and off state. 
     
     
         25 . A method for using a multi-functional dispensing system configured for dispensing a fluid from a container, the method comprising:
 while the dispensing system is in any one of a selectable functional state, moving an activation element a first predetermined distance that is configured to engage a switch;   in response to engaging the switch, activating an illumination source disposed within the multi-functional dispensing system;   in response to moving the activation element the first predetermined distance, moving the activation element a second predetermined distance that is configured to open a fluid valve; and   in response to opening the fluid valve, dispensing the fluid from the container.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 releasing the activation element by the second predetermined distance to close the fluid valve.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 in response to releasing the activation element by the second predetermined distance, releasing the activation by the first predetermined distance to disengage the switch; and   in response to disengaging the switch, deactivating the illumination source.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 while the dispensing system is in either (ii) an off state or (iii) a locked and off state, preventing movement of the activation element the second predetermined distance.   
     
     
         29 . A method for dispensing a fluid from a fluid-dispensing apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing enhanced visual acuity to a surface requiring application of a fluid, wherein the enhanced visual acuity is provided by the fluid-dispensing apparatus having an integrated illumination source; and   controlling delivery of the fluid to the surface by configuring the fluid-containing apparatus to provide for one or more of (i) a predetermined amount of the fluid to be applied to the surface, (ii) a continuous spray application and/or (iii) a continuous stream application.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein providing the enhanced visual acuity further comprises configuring the integrated illumination source within the fluid-dispensing apparatus proximate in location to a spray nozzle. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein providing the enhanced visual acuity further comprises configuring the integrated illumination source to illuminate the surface in response to a user directing the spray nozzle at the surface and activating an activation element included within the fluid-dispensing apparatus.