U.S. patent number RE29,405 [Application Number 05/673,309] was granted by the patent office on 1977-09-20 for spray apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Meiko, Incorporated. Invention is credited to Rudolph M. Gunzel, Jr., Donald R. James, Tony Radecki.
United States Patent |
RE29,405 |
Gunzel, Jr. , et
al. |
September 20, 1977 |
Spray apparatus
Abstract
A caplike member is received onto a container for including a
supply of materials to be sprayed onto lawns, shrubs and the like.
A swivel nut mounted on the caplike member interconnects with, say,
a water hose. A rotatable drumlike body on the caplike member has a
pair of inserts with different sized bores passing therethrough,
and which bores or passages are selectively positionable in
alignment with a feed opening connected to inlet water, which tube
lower end has a single proportion balance control orifice. The
insert openings have lateral communication channels opening into a
feed tube that extends into the container. A nozzle is rotatably
affixed to the drumlike body and is individually adjustable to
select any one of several exit openings which form different spray
patterns. A further aspect is the provision of a hand operable
valving device which directs inlet water into the container as a
pressurized jet for initial mixing with the spray materials.
Moreover, the feed tube lower end is secured within a sediment trap
which positions it closely adjacent the container bottom in a
manner permitting free communication with the surrounding
materials. A double filter on the feed tube lower end removes
suspended matter. .Iadd.
Inventors: |
Gunzel, Jr.; Rudolph M. (San
Marino, CA), James; Donald R. (West Covina, CA), Radecki;
Tony (Altadena, CA) |
Assignee: |
Meiko, Incorporated (Los
Angeles, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
24032095 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/673,309 |
Filed: |
April 2, 1976 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
408175 |
Oct 19, 1973 |
|
|
|
Reissue of: |
510764 |
Sep 30, 1974 |
03940069 |
Feb 24, 1976 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/318;
222/400.7; 222/335; 239/142; 239/396; 222/331; 239/394;
239/436 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
7/12 (20130101); B05B 7/2443 (20130101); B05B
15/20 (20180201) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
7/24 (20060101); B05B 7/12 (20060101); B05B
7/02 (20060101); B05B 15/00 (20060101); B05B
007/04 (); B05B 007/30 (); B05B 001/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/142,302,310,315,317,318,337,338,340,342,353,354,364,367,373,375,391,392,394
;222/153,330,331,335,395,400.7,402.14-402.17
;215/252,307,317,321,329,331,332,337
;220/293,298,300-302,306-307 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Blunk; Evon C.
Assistant Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Netter; George J.
Parent Case Text
The subject application is a Continuation-In-Part application of
Serial No. 408,175, filed Oct. 19, 1973, now abandoned..Iaddend.
Claims
We claim:
1. Apparatus for mixing a liquid with pressurized water and
providing a spray thereof, comprising:
an open-topped container for receiving a quantity of said
liquid;
a cap carried by said container including means for connecting the
cap to a supply of pressurized water with a water inlet opening in
communication with said pressurized water and further having a port
communicating with the container interior;
a cylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cap including first
and second passages extending through said body, arranged to be
individually aligned with said water inlet opening at respective
different positions of rotation, said body having walls defining
first and second openings interconnecting the respective first and
second passages to the body exterior and so located as to align
with the port in said cap when the respective passage is aligned
with the water inlet opening;
a nozzle interconnected with said cylindrical body for ejecting a
spray; and
a single, open-ended, hollow tube carried by said cap having one
open end interconnected with said port in said cap and the other
open end extending into said container, said tube other end
terminating in means having an opening for receiving liquid from
the container and said opening in said means having a lesser
sectional area than that of the tube one open end or that of the
port in said cap.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising manually operated
valving means for directing a pressurized water stream from said
water inlet opening in said cap into said container.
3. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said nozzle is rotatably
adjustable to provide any one of at least two different fixed spray
patterns.
4. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said nozzle is individually
adjustable with respect to said cylindrical body for selectively
ejecting spray in at least two different patterns.
5. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another liquid
and forming a spray outlet, comprising:
an open-topped container means for receiving a quantity of said
liquid;
a cover mounted onto said container top having means for connection
to a supply of said pressurized water and including a first open
communicating with said pressurized water and a second opening
communicating with the container interior;
a cylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cover having a pair of
passages extending therethrough generally parallel to the axis of
rotation, each aligned at a different rotating position of said
body with the first opening in said cover and lateral openings
interconnecting each said body passage and the body exterior, said
lateral openings communicating with the cover second opening when
the associated cylindrical body passage is aligned with said first
opening; and
insert means removably received within each of said pair of body
passages, each insert including walls defining a bore passing
therethrough generally parallel to said passages.
6. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another liquid
in an open-topped container and forming a spray, comprising:
a cover removably mounted onto said container top for connection to
a supply of said pressurized water and including first means
communicating with said pressurized water and second means
communicating with the container interior;
a drumlike body rotatably mounted to said cover having a pair of
passages extending therethrough generally parallel to the axis of
rotation, each passage being aligned at a different rotative
position of said body with the first communicating means in said
cover, and a lateral opening interconnecting each body passage with
the body exterior, said lateral openings respectively communicating
with the cover second communicating means when the associated
cylindrical body passage is aligned with said first communicating
means; and
individual inserts removably received within each of said pair of
body passages, each insert including walls defining a bore passing
therethrough generally parallel to said passages, said bores being
of different predetermined cross-sectional areas.
7. A device as in claim 6, in which there are further provided
manually operated valving means continuously adjustable over a
range to direct pressurized water from the first communicating
means into said container.
8. A device as in claim 6, in which there are further provided
manually operated valving means carried by said cover selectively
adjustable to direct a relatively high-pressure water stream into
the container for agitating and mixing with the contents
thereof.
9. A device as in claim 6, in which said container is constructed
of a material more pliable than said cover and the relative
dimensions of said container top and cover are such that when said
cover is received on said container top interference occurs forming
a water-tight seal therebetween.
10. A device as in claim 6, in which said container top and cover
includes lugs and grooves which cooperate to provide a bayonet
connection when said cover is mounted onto said container top.
11. A device as in claim 6, in which said container is constructed
of a transparent material, thereby providing visual monitoring
capability of mixing within said container.
12. A device as in claim 6, in which there are further provided
manually operated valving means continuously adjustable over a
range to direct the pressurized water from the first communicating
means into said container at a correspondingly continuoustly
variable rate.
13. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another
liquid and forming a spray outlet, comprising:
an open-topped container having side and bottom walls for receiving
a quantity of said liquid;
a cover mounted onto said container top for connection to a supply
of said pressurized water;
a cylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cover having a first
passage extending therethrough generally parallel to the axis of
rotation, communication with said pressurized water, and a lateral
opening interconnecting said first passage with the interior of
said container;
a hollow tube having one end connected to the lateral opening and
its other end located immediately adjacent the center of the
container bottom wall for drawing liquid from the container;
and
said container bottom wall including a plurality of channels
extending outwardly from the center of said bottom wall.
14. A device as in claim 13, in which there are further provided
first and second screenlike means enclosing the other end of said
tube means, said first screenlike means enclosing said second
screenlike means and having larger screen openings than said second
means.
15. A device as in claim 13, in which the other end of said tube is
positioned within a sediment trap, said trap including side walls
having slits therein, a top wall having a first opening within
which the other end of the tube is received, and a screenlike
member located over the first opening and tube other end.
16. A device as in claim 13, in which the tube other end terminates
in means communicating with the container liquid via an orifice
having a smaller cross-sectional area than the tube bore.
17. In a hose end spray apparatus for receiving and spraying
pressurized water and mixing a contained liquid therewith
comprising a liquid container, a cap fittable on the container
including means for connection to a source of pressurized water and
a nozzle for ejecting a spray of mixed water and liquid, a hollow
tube extending from the cap into the container for withdrawing
liquid therefrom, the improvement comprising:
a rotor mounted in the cap for pivoting above an axis extending
generally in a direction of water flow;
a plurality of passages through the rotor;
an aspiration opening in fluid communication with each passage and
individually alignable in fluid communication with the feed tube in
a respective pivot position of the rotor; and
a removable insert in each passage having a predetermined bore size
for mixing of said liquid with water in a predetermined ratio.
18. In a hose end spray apparatus as defined in claim 17, the
further improvement wherein each aspiration opening comprises:
an inlet water opening in the rotor aligned with the bore in the
respective insert;
means for spacing the insert away from the rotor adjacent the
opening for defining an aspiration space; and
means for providing fluid communication between said space and said
aspiration opening.
19. In a hose end spray apparatus for receiving and spraying
pressurized water and mixing a contained liquid therewith,
comprising a liquid container, a cap fittable on the container
including means for connection to a source of pressurized water and
a nozzle for ejecting a spray of mixed water and liquid, and means
for aspirating liquid from the container for mixing with the water,
improved means for selectively directing pressurized water from the
cap into the container, comprising:
a fluid passage having a relatively smaller diameter portion and a
relatively larger diameter portion;
a piston in the passage having a seal around the periphery in the
relatively smaller diameter portion and a seal around the periphery
in the relatively larger diameter portion, and longitudinally
movable in the passage between a depressed open position and an
extended closed position;
a fluid outlet from the passage into the container between the
larger and smaller seals in either position of the piston; and
a fluid inlet from a pressurized water region of the cap into the
passage between the smaller seal and the larger seal when the
piston is in its open position and on the opposite side of the
smaller seal from the larger seal when the piston is in its
extended closed position.
20. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another
liquid carried in an open-topped container and forming a spray
therefrom, comprising:
a cover removably mounted onto said container top for connection to
a supply of said pressurized water and including first means
communicating with said pressurized water and second means
communicating with the container interior;
a drumlike body rotatably mounted to said cover having a pair of
passages extending therethrough generally parallel to the axis of
rotation, each passage being aligned at a different rotative
position of said body with the first communicating means in said
cover, and a lateral opening interconnecting each body passage with
the body exterior, said lateral openings respectively communicating
with the cover second communicating means when the associated
cylindrical body passage is aligned with said first communicating
means, and said drumlike body preventing passage of water
therethrough at all other rotative positions; and
individual inserts removably received within each of said pair of
body passages, each insert including walls defining a bore passing
therethrough generally parallel to said passages, said bores being
of different predetermined cross-sectional areas.
21. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another
liquid and forming a spray outlet, comprising:
an open-topped container for receiving a quantity of said liquid
therein and having walls defining a generally circular rim about
the container open top;
a cover mounted onto said container top for connection to a supply
of said pressurized water, said cover having a rim for
cooperatively engaging the container rim;
a cylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cover having a
plurality of passages extending therethrough generally parallel to
the axis of rotation which individually communicate with said
pressurized water at different positions of rotation, and a lateral
opening interconnecting said first passage with the interior of
said container; and
a tube having one end connected to the lateral opening and its
other end located immediately adjacent the center of the container
bottom wall for drawing liquid from the container;
said container rim containing at least one pair of outwardly
projecting lugs spaced circumferentially from one another and
extending outwardly different amounts, and said cover rim having an
inwardly projecting lug which is so dimensioned as to pass over the
lesser projecting container rim lug with interference and to be
obstructed by the greater projecting container rim lug, thereby
locking the cover to the container against inadvertent removal.
22. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another
liquid carried in an open-topped container and forming a spray
therefrom, comprising:
a cover removably mounted onto said container top for connection to
a supply of said pressurized water and including first and second
water inlet openings of respective first and second cross-sectional
areas and means communicating with the container interior;
a drumlike body rotatably mounted to said cover having a pair of
passages extending therethrough generally parallel to the axis of
rotation, each passage being aligned at a different rotative
position of said body with a respective one of said first and
second water inlet openings in said cover, and a lateral opening
interconnecting each body passage with the body exterior, said
lateral openings respectively communicating with the cover second
communicating means when the associated cylindrical body passage is
aligned with the said first or second water inlet openings; and
individual inserts removably received within each of said pair of
body passages, each insert including walls defining a bore passing
therethrough generally parallel to said passages, said bores being
of different predetermined cross-sectional areas and of lesser
cross-sectional area than the corresponding first and second water
inlet openings with which they are aligned for water passage
therethrough.
23. Apparatus for mixing a liquid with pressurized water and
providing a spray thereof, comprising:
an open-topped container for receiving a quantity of said
liquid;
a cap carried by said container including means for connecting the
cap to a supply of pressurized water with a water inlet opening in
communication with said pressurized water and further having a port
communicating with the container interior;
a cylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cap including first
and second passages extending through said body, said passages
containing first and second inserts, respectively, having different
sized bores extending therethrough, said passages and the bores of
the inserts received therein arranged to be individually aligned
with said water inlet opening at respectively different positions
of rotation of the cylindrical body, said body having walls
defining first and second openings interconnecting the respective
first and second passages to the body exterior and so located as to
align with the port in said cap when the respective passage is
aligned with the water inlet opening;
a nozzle interconnected with said cylindrical body for ejecting a
spray; and
a hollow tube carried by said cap having an end interconnected with
said port in said cap and the other end extending into said
container, said tube other end terminating in means having an
opening for receiving liquid from the container and said opening in
said means having a lesser sectional area than the port in said
cap.
24. Apparatus for mixing a liquid with pressurized water and
providing a spray thereof, comprising:
an open-topped container for receiving a quantity of said
liquid;
a cap carried by said container including means for connecting the
cap to a supply of pressurized water with a water inlet opening in
communication with said pressurized water and further having a port
communicating with the container interior;
a cylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cap including first
and second passages extending through said body, arranged to be
individually aligned with said water inlet opening at respective
different positions of rotation, said body having walls defining
first and second openings interconnecting the respective first and
second passages to the body exterior and so located as to align
with the port in said cap when the respective passage is aligned
with the water inlet opening;
a nozzle interconnected with said cylindrical body for ejecting a
spray; and
a hollow tube carried by said cap having an end interconnected with
said port in said cap and the other end extending into said
container, said tube other end terminating in means having an
opening for receiving liquid from the container and said opening in
said means having a lesser sectional area than the port in said
cap, said means being positioned within a sediment trap fixedly
located in the bottom of said container.
25. In a hose end spray apparatus for receiving and spraying
pressurized water and mixing a contained liquid therewith,
including a liquid container, a cap fittable on the container with
means for connection to a source of pressurized water and a nozzle
for ejecting a spray of mixed water and liquid, and means for
aspirating liquid from the container for mixing with the water,
improved means for selectively directing pressurized water from the
cap into the container, comprising:
a fluid passage in said cap interconnecting said pressurized water
source with said liquid container;
a piston longitudinally oriented in and continuously movable along
said passage from a first depressed position at which said
pressurized water can move from the cap to said container to a
second extended position where said piston closes said passage to
the pressurized water;
a fluid outlet in said cap that interconnects the passage with the
container throughout the full range of positions of the piston;
and
a fluid inlet that interconnects a pressurized water region of the
cap with the passage when the piston is in its open position and
prevents liquid flow therethrough to the container when the piston
is in its extended closed position.
26. In a hose end spray apparatus for receiving and spraying
pressurized water and mixing a contained liquid therewith,
comprising a liquid container, a cap fittable on the container
including means for connection to a source of pressurized water and
a nozzle for ejecting a spray of mixed water and liquid, and means
for aspirating liquid from the container to mix with the water,
improved means for selectively directing pressurized water from the
cap into the container, comprising:
a manually operated valving means continuously adjustable over a
range to direct pressurized water from said cap into said liquid
container at a correspondingly continuously variable rate.
Description
The present invention relates generally to spray apparatus, and, in
particular, to spray apparatus selectively adaptable for admixing
such premix materials as fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and
fungicides with water for spraying lawns, shrubs, trees and other
plants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although in the past a number of different types of spray apparatus
have been developed, none of such known apparatus has been
completely satisfactory for one or more reasons. First of all, it
is desirable that such apparatus be capable of efficiently and
accurately admixing planting materials such as fertilizers,
herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and the like, with a
pressurized water stream, and known equipment for doing this has
been relatively complex and expensive, and not sufficiently
accurate. Moreover, in the past, where an attempt was made to avoid
complexity and/or expense, the resulting devices were found to be
generally unreliable.
It has also been found desirable for the spray apparatus to be
capable of exerting a spray outlet at several different,
selectively provided flow rates with prescribed ratios of water to
premix materials. Still further, since such equipment is
conventionally connected to a water hose and includes a container
within which the fertilizer, insecticide, or the like is carried,
all of which is hand carried, adjustability of the spray pattern
over a wide range is clearly advantageous in providing the optimal
spray for particular applications while eliminating the need for
holding the apparatus at awkward and tiring angles during use.
Again, past systems capable of providing different spray flow and
proportions in a variety of dispensing patterns were expensive and
complicated to manufacture, or, where designed with an eye toward
reducing expense, suffered a significant drop in reliability. Also,
the accuracy of proportioning premix materials with water is of
critical importance with many materials, and previous known devices
for doing this have simply not been suitably accurate for many
materials.
With the many different kinds of fertilizers, insecticides,
herbicides and the like available on the market, it is necessary
that the apparatus used be capable of providing a specified ratio
of mixing for each material prior to use, and this has either been
relatively difficult to accomplish with prior equipment or not
possible at all. For example, in certain types of known spray
equipment, the material container has to be removed from the spray
equipment and mixing performed within the open container, after
which it must be reassembled for use. This, of course, takes time
and occasionally produces the undesirable result of the user
getting the water and materials onto his hands and clothing, which,
since the materials are quite frequently toxic, can be dangerous to
the user.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a primary aim and object of the subject invention
to provide improved spray apparatus for connection to a water hose
for the application of fertilizers, insecticides or the like in a
water spray solution onto lawns, shrubbery, trees and other
plants.
Another object is the provision of spray apparatus which is
selectively adjustable to provide a spray output at any one of
several different flow rates and prescribed proportions of premix
materials to water.
Another object is the provision of spray apparatus having an
adjustable nozzle for forming the spray output into any one of a
number of different optional patterns irrespective of flow rate
adjustment.
Yet another object is the provision of spray apparatus for
convenient removable attachment to a container of materials to be
admixed with water spray and including mean selectively actuatable
to direct pressurized water into the container and achieve mixing
therewith.
Another object is the provision of spray apparatus having multiple
means selectively alignable with inlet pressurized water to provide
different flow rates, and a conduit interconnecting the selectively
alignable means with premix materials via a single balance control
orifice for entraining premix materials in the pressurized water
prior to spray emission.
A still further object is the provision in spray apparatus of means
securing the end of a feed tube in the bottom of a premix material
container.
In accordance with the practice of the present invention, a caplike
member is received onto a container which includes a supply of
materials to be sprayed onto lawns, shrubbery and the like. A
swivel nut is mounted onto the caplike member for interconnection
with a water hose, for example. A rotatable drumlike body, also
mounted on the caplike member, includes a pair of passages of
different cross-sectional area passing therethrough, and which
passages are selectively positionable in alignment with a feed
opening communicating with a water source via the hose fitting or
bit. The passages in the drumlike body have lateral communication
channels opening into a feed tube which extends down into the
container and terminates in a single proportion balance control
orifice. A nozzle is rotatably affixed to the drumlike body and
includes a plurality of exit openings therein which on adjustment
forms a spray directed either upwardly or downwardly, in a narrow
stream that extends generally straight out from the nozzle, or in a
broad spray for use in applying fertilizers and insecticides onto
lawns. The nozzle adjustment can be made separately of the drumlike
body adjustment.
A further aspect of the invention includes a hand operable valving
device which directs water from the hose into the container as a
pressurized conical jet for initial mixing with the spray materials
to a prescribed ratio.
The feed tube lower end is sealed within a sediment trap which
positions it closely adjacent the container bottom in a manner
.[.premitting.]. .Iadd.permitting .Iaddend.free communication with
the surrounding materials over a full 360.degree. about the tube
end. Double filtering removes suspended matter from the mixed
materials prior to emission as a spray.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spray apparatus and associated
container of the subject invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational, sectional view of the spray apparatus
and container, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in
FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a plan, sectional, partially fragmentary view of the
nozzle taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is an elevational, partially sectional view of an alternate
form of cap and container closure technique.
FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG.
7.
FIGS. 9 through 12 show further views of the cap and container of
FIGS. 7 and 8.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to FIG. 1, the sprayer of the subject invention is
identified generally by the number 10 and is seen to be received on
the upper end of an open topped container 11 into which
fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, or the like, are admixed
with water in prescribed ratio prior to spraying onto lawns,
shrubbery, trees or other plants. More particularly, the sprayer
apparatus 10 is of unitary construction which includes a rotatable
fitting 12 for connecting onto the male end of a garden hose, for
example. Nozzle means 13 are rotatably adjustable for directing the
spray in any one of several different spray patterns to be
described. A manually actuated control 14 interconnects, in a way
that will be more particularly described, valving means to provide
water and premix materials from 11 to the nozzle 13 at several
different flow rates and mixed in predetermined ratios. Actuation
of mixing control button 15 directs a conical jet of water into the
container 11 for initial mixing in a desired ratio with premix
materials contained therein.
With reference now to FIG. 2, the container 11 is seen to have a
relatively broad base and an open top, the latter optionally
including lock lugs 16 or other suitable means for cooperating with
the sprayer apparatus to effect what is sometimes termed a bayonet
connection. This latter connection permits the container to be
readily removed from and reconnected to the cap when filling with
premix materials. The bottom wall 17 of the container 11 includes a
centrally located well 18 within which a sediment trap 19, to be
more fully described, is received and which also acts to locate the
lower end of a feed tube 20 within the well and secure it against
lateral displacement.
A cap or cover 21 is received onto the upper open end of the
container 11 and includes either lock lug keyways or other
projecting means 22 for cooperating with container lugs 16 to
effect positive closure of the container. Upstanding wall means 23
on the cap are integrally formed with the cap 21 and have a water
entrance side 24 including walls 25 defining a generally circular
opening within which the swivel nut 12 is secured in a manner
causing it to extend downwardly from the horizontal at an angle of
approximately 15.degree., which angle provides a comfortable
hand-hold when aiming the nozzle 13 generally horizontally. A
second substantially flat face 26 of the member 23 extends
vertically upward from the cap or cover with an opening 27
extending therethrough in fluid passing communication with the
interior of the fitting or swivel nut 12. A centrally located
opening or well 28 is formed in the face 26 for mounting other
elements as will be described.
The fitting 12 preferably includes a gross particle filter or
straining screen 29 and a pressure actuated check valve diaphragm
30, the latter preventing materials from moving backwardly through
the fitting into the water supply line. Although the preferred
construction offers certain distinct advantages to the overall
operation of the subject sprayer apparatus, it is not a part of
this invention as such and will therefore not be described in
further detail.
The manually actuated control 14 interconnects with a generally
cylindical drumlike body 31 having a conical, axially located
opening 32 passing completely therethrough. As seen best in FIG. 3,
the body 31 is a generally hollow tubular element as viewed along
its cylindrical axis and has walls forming a pair of passages 33
and 34 extending generally parallel to the conical opening 32 and
spaced radially outwardly from the body axis the same amount. Each
of the passages 33 and 34 include associated radially directed
orifices 35 and 36, respectively, communicating therewith and
passing through the circumferential wall of the body 31.
Each cylindrical passage 33 and 34 receives respective tubular
inserts 37 and 38 with different accurately formed bores extending
axially therethrough. The outer walls of inserts include portions
39 which contact the inner wall surface of the associated passages
33 and 34 at spaced intervals, leaving the inserts otherwise spaced
from the walls. It is also to be noted that the inserts when fully
seated are spaced at their inner ends from the walls defining the
associated passage as at 40. A water inlet opening 41 passing
through the wall which abuts against 26 is provided in alignment
with each insert bore, which openings 41 are selectively adjustable
to align with a larger water inlet opening 27 in wall face 26. That
is, with an insert fully seated in its respective passage, full
fluid communication is maintained between the inlet openings 41 and
27, and the openings 35 and 36 as well as along the insert bore.
The other or outer end of each insert extends well into nozzle for
a purpose to be described later. Still further, the outer end
surfaces of the walls defining each of the passages 33 and 34 are
shaped to receive sealing means 42 such as an O-ring, for example.
As will be described in detail later, the drumlike body 31 is
adjustably positionable during use so that only one of the inserts
at a time is in fluid communication via 41 and 27 to the
pressurized source of water.
Assembly of the drumlike body 31 to the cap is accomplished through
utilization of a mounting means 43 which is in the form of a pair
of hollow studs or shanks 44 and 45, separated by a disclike wall
46 extending along the same axis and in opposite directions. In
particular, the shank 44 tapers toward its outer end and is of such
dimensions that it can be received within the passage 32 of the
drumlike body 31 and has an outer end portion which extends beyond
the body 31 for receipt within an accommodating circular shoulder
47 encompassing the opening 28. The relative dimensions of these
parts are such that when the body 31 is received on the shank 44,
in the manner just described, it freely rotates thereon, and at the
same time fits closely against both the wall 26 and the disclike
wall 46. An arcuate slot 48 in the disclike wall 46 aligns with
each bore of the inserts 37 and 38 when they are arranged in the
lowermost position, as the insert 38 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
6, for example. At the same time the associated lateral orifice 35
or 36, as the case may be, is aligned with a port 49 in the cap 21
communicating with the tube 20. Further sealing means such as the
O-ring 50 maintains a continuous water-tight and air-tight
condition about the openings 36 and 49 to prevent both premix
materials from escaping outwardly and air leaking inwardly reducing
the aspiration force on the premix materials.
The nozzle 13 is of substantially cylindrical shape with an open
end 51, an exit or spray end 52, and internal walls defining four
separate elongate chambers 53-56 arranged about the cylindrical
axis. The spray end 52 is provided with four separate outlets
53'-56', each individually connected to correspondingly numbered
chambers 53-56 for emitting water admixed with premix materials in
a prescribed pattern. The nozzle also includes inner wall surfaces
57 defining an axial bore with a tapered portion for receipt onto
the shank 45, as seen best in FIG. 2. When so received on the shank
45, the inner ends of the nozzle 13 slidingly abut against a
peripheral flange 58 of the wall means 46. A threaded member such
as a self-tapping screw 59, received within the shank bore, has its
inner end threaded into the opening 28 and an enlarged head at the
other end securing the nozzle onto the shank with washer 60 acting
as a bearing spacer. When assembled as described, the nozzle is
freely rotatable about the shank 45 as an axle to selectively align
any one of the chambers 53-56 of the nozzle with the opening 48 in
the wall 46. As seen best in FIG. 6, the lock lug 72 on the
marginal portion of open end 51 engages the equally spaced detents
76 during rotation to position the nozzle in its described spraying
modes.
With respect to operation of the spray apparatus as described to
this point, assume the drumlike body 31 is adjusted to the position
shown in FIG. 3. As shown there, a projecting embossment 61 on the
outer surface of the body 31 on engaging an adjacent wall of the
cap 21 locates the passage 34 in its lowermost position (see also
FIG. 2) with its associated orifice 36 aligned with the opening 49
and thereby communicating with tube 20. Also, when in this
position, the bore of the insert 38 is directly aligned with both
the inlet water opening 41 and the arcuate slot 48 (FIGS. 2 and 6).
Accordingly, irrespective of the adjustment mode of the nozzle,
pressurized water provided to the fitting 12 makes its way directly
through openings 27 and 41, insert bore 38 and out through the slot
48 for dispensing via the nozzle. Rotation of the drumlike body of
member 31 approximately 80.degree. detents the body in such manner
that the other insert 37 is aligned in fluid passing relation.
As a further aspect of this invention, on comparing FIGS. 2 and 4,
a transverse cylindrical opening 62 is formed in the cap body
having one portion 63 which is of greater diameter than the
remainder. A port 64 extends upwardly from the inner end of opening
62 communicating with the interior of the housing 23 closely
adjacent the opening 41. An elongated side 65 received within the
opening 62 has its inner end shaped into a piston which is
slidingly received within the smaller diameter part of the opening
62. A second portion 66 spaced from the outer end thereof is shaped
for sliding movement with the large diameter section 63. The outer
end 68 defines the control button 15 shown in FIG. 1.
Movement of the control button 15 to its innermost position (full
line depiction, FIG. 4) provides communication as shown by the
arrows for the pressurized water through the port 64 and downward
through tapered outlet 67, where it is emitted as an expanding
conical jet into container 11. This flow into the container will be
maintained as long as the push button is held in. Release of the
push button 15 allows the water entering via opening 64 and
pressing against the inner surface of 66 to drive the member 65
outwardly, thereby closing off the flow path between 64 and 67. The
rate of water being added to the container may be controlled simply
by holding the push button in varying amounts of depression, i.e.,
the farther it is pushed in, the greater the flow rate. Also, by
merely holding the push button in, the necessary amount of water to
be added to the container to provide any desired proportion of
water to premix materials can be obtained over a continuous range.
It is also important to note that the water emitted via 67 is a
fast moving conical stream of jet, the action of which thoroughly
mixes the premix materials with the water. Specifically, the outlet
67 is formed to create a conical jet that on reaching the bottom of
the container has an effective diameter approximately one-half that
of the container bottom.
As a safety and ease of handling feature, it is to be noted in FIG.
2 that at each side of the push button there are provided escape
ports 69 and 70 extending through the cap. In the event of
excessive filling or perhaps foaming or other working during
mixing, these ports allow for escape of the material, but in a
relatively low pressure stream, thereby preventing injury or
staining of the user or his clothing by an inadvertent spray
developing between the cap and container as can happen in some
prior art equipment. Moreover, on release of the push button at the
end of adding the required amount of water to the container, the
water pressure moves the piston 65, and thus the push button, to
its outermost position, thereby preventing overfilling of the
container.
It is preferred that the container 11 be constructed of a
transparent, nonbreakable plastic which is not only safe to handle,
but allows for ready monitoring of the mixing to insure both
accuracy and completeness.
As best seen in FIG. 2, the sediment trap 19 comprises generally an
inverted cuplike strainer. The side walls include a plurality of
opening slits 74 for admitting fluid to the interior thereof. The
upper or top wall of the trap 19 is further provided with a recess
75 within which the lower end portion of the tube 20 is received.
The walls 77 defining the recess 75 includes a single fine orifice
78 of predetermined dimensions serving as a proportion balance
control through which the premix in the container is aspirated
upwardly through the tube for entrainment within the spray. A fine
mesh screen 79 surrounds orifice 78 for removing particulate matter
not strained out by the slits 74 which might otherwise block the
orifice and make it inoperative. The trap 19 also serves to
maintain the tube end at a position closely adjacent the bottom of
the container, insuring the use of substantially all the liquid mix
in the container. The container bottom 17 is formed into several
radially extending channels 80 which direct the premix liquid
mixture to the sediment trap.
By having the proportion balance control orifice 78 located at the
end of the tube 20, in the event the orifice becomes plugged, it is
a simple matter to remove the tube and pluglike member for cleaning
or replacement.
As noted previously, the nozzle 13 is provided with four different
spraying modes. Although a number of different spraying modes may
be provided on a single nozzle, for illustrative purposes only four
are presented here. That is, on reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, spray
outlet 53' provides a single stream or jet; outlet 54', an upwardly
directed spray; and outlets 55' and 56', downwardly directed sprays
of different angularity. As seen in FIG. 2, only one spray mode at
a time is obtained and that is the one associated with the
particular chamber 53-56 that is positioned in alignment with slot
48 in wall 46.
The spray pattern provided by each of the spray outlets 53'-56' has
an associated droplet size achieved through deflecting the
pressurized water off one or more angularly disposed wall surfaces
prior to emission from the spray outlet. This is important in that
for optimum performance there is a proper droplet size for each
particular application. For example, water to be emitted from the
outlet 55 (FIG. 2) is deflected from a first angular wall 81 in the
nozzle onto a second angular wall 82 before exiting, whereas spray
mixture coming from 53' (FIG. 5) is merely deflected off a single
angularly disposed wall 83, making the droplet size in the latter
case larger than in the first case. By locating the outer ends of
the inserts 37 and 38 within the nozzle (FIG. 2) and closely
adjacent the deflecting surfaces, optimum stream control is
obtained.
In the practice of this invention, there is provided the ability
for effecting initial mixture of the water and premix materials in
a very accurate proportion by appropriate manipulation of the push
button 15. Also, when producing the initial mixture in the
container 11 in this manner, water emitted into the container is in
the form of a jet which thoroughly agitates and mixes with the
premix materials, eliminating the requirement for shaking or other
means of insuring thorough mixture.
To insure against the liquid mixture leaking from the container at
the cap, a special arrangement is used. The cap and container are
preferably both made of plastic with the container being
constructed of a softer and slightly more flexible material than
the cap. Furthermore, the relative dimensions of the bayonet lugs
on the cap and container are such that an interference is formed on
threading which causes the upper edge 84 of the container to
sealingly abut against the cap (FIG. 2).
In addition to the interference sealing relationship, in an
alternate form of the invention the cap is locked onto the
container top which prevents the cap from vibrating loose during
use. With reference now to FIGS. 7 through 12, the open mouth of
container terminates in a continuous circular rim 84, on the
outwardly directed surface of which there is provided four equally
spaced sets 85 of stops or lugs. More particularly, each set 85
consists of a first generally rectangular lug 86 which extends
outwardly from the rim peripheral surface a first amount, and a
second generally rectangular lug 87 located at a distance D from
the first lug in a clockwise direction and extending outwardly a
greater distance than the first lug. The lower edges of the two
lugs of each set are spaced from an enlarged hub or shoulder 88 for
a purpose to be described.
The inner surface of the cap rim 89 is provided with four sets of
equally spaced locking lugs 90 for cooperative engagement with the
corresponding sets 85 of stops or lugs on the container rim. Each
locking lug 90 includes a first rectangular portion 91 of
dimensions approximating those of lug 86 and a second elongated
portion 92 extending in a forwardly turning direction (i.e.,
clockwise as viewed from above the cap) from lug 91. The width of
92 is such as to permit receipt between the lower edges of the lugs
86 and 87 and the hub 88.
To assemble the cap onto the container, the cap is lowered onto the
container top with the leading edge of the portions 92 located
behind each associated lug 86. Rotation of the cap clockwise moves
the lug portion 92 between the lower edge of lugs 85 and 86 and the
hub 88, thereby securing the cap against upward removal from the
container. Further rotation causes the lug 91 to move into
interfering relation with lug 86 and then into space D. Since the
lug 87 extends outwardly of rim 84 farther than 86, it prevents
further rotation of the cap. Removal of the cap is accomplished by
counterclockwise rotation with sufficient force to overcome
interference of 91 with 86.
As described above, the inserts 37 and 38 have respective bores of
different fluid carrying capacities. Although these can be varied
over a large range, it has been found that best results are
obtained with present day premix materials for spraying of lawns
when the insert bore of 38 effects a 60:1 mixture of water to the
liquid mix in container 11. Similarly, the bore in 37 is of such
dimensions as to produce a 24:1 ratio with the mixed materials in
11 for application to shrubs or the like. These inserts have been
made removable for ease of manufacture and in order to insure
repeated accuracy on large manufacturing runs of the bore size
which is, of course, important to insure maintenance of fixed
proportion of the water to materials being admixed therewith. Also,
in the event it becomes advisable to provide a different bore size
for, say, a special application, all that is required is to replace
one (or both) of the inserts with one having the desired bore size
and change the proportion balance control orifice.
Known prior devices of the general kind described here frequently
were unsatisfactory due to leakage which usually occurred as a
relatively high pressure spray either stained or was otherside
injurious to the user or his clothing. The described spray
apparatus was particularly constructed to prevent such leakage
while at the same time not materially increasing production cost.
Illustrative of this is the use of a pair of concentrically
arranged O-rings 93 and 94 located about water inlet 27 in the
surface 26 and sealing against leakage along the rotor facing
surface. Moreover, by virtue of the described spray apparatus
construction, no gaskets are required although the device is fully
sealed against undesirable leakage such as, for example, between
the moving parts between the cap and the container.
Recapitulating on overall operation of the subject invention, water
is first mixed with the premix materials in the desired proportion
by depressing the push button 15 to obtain the requisite amount of
fill. The nozzle is then rotated to the desired spray pattern and
direction, and the manual control moved from the OFF position
(vertical as shown in FIG. 1) to align either passage 33 or 34
(dashed line and solid line depiction in FIG. 3) with the inlet
pressurized water. As water moves through the bore of the selected
insert 37 or 38, the accurately formed venturi creates a partial
vacuum in the space 40, opening 35 or 36, as the case may be, and
opening 49 to draw up to previously mixed materials through the
tube 20 and proportion balance control orifice 78, and further mix
with water for ultimate spraying out the nozzle 13. To stop
operation, the control 14 is merely returned to the vertically up
or OFF position, after which the influent pressurized water should
be turned off before the spray apparatus is removed from the
hose.
In the practical embodiment of the described spray apparatus
changing from one flow rate to a second flow rate merely required
rotation of the drumlike body 31 through approximately 80.degree..
This advantageously contrasts with certain prior art apparatus
requiring rotation of a selector through approximately 360.degree.
to achieve flow rate modification.
* * * * *