Motor driven spray device

ES 2 303 333 T3

DESCRIPTION

Motor-driven spraying device.

Background

The present invention relates to devices and methods for dispensing substances. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods for dispensing fluids and to an automatic dispenser for attachment to a reservoir containing a fluid to be dispensed.

Hand-operated sprayers are often mounted on containers of household liquids such as window and bathroom cleaners or ARMOR ALL^®. A household liquid is dispensed from the hand-operated sprayer by repeatedly squeezing a lever on the sprayer. This can be heavy. Consequently, automatic sprayers as set forth for example in EP-593900 have previously been developed to replace hand-operated sprayers.

These prior automatic sprayers suffer from several drawbacks. First, they often cannot be mounted in a household liquid container available from stock, instead relying on a special reservoir that must be refilled by the user. This can be difficult or inconvenient for the user.

Second, prior automatic sprayers have spray heads or housings that are substantially larger and heavier than normal hand-operated sprayers. As a result, older automatic sprayers tend to be too heavy and unwieldy. They tend to be expensive compared to non-automatic sprayers and for this reason at least they are not optimally marketed.

There is a need in the art for an automatic sprayer having a spray head or housing that is similar in size and configuration to a normal hand-operated sprayer.

Summary

The present invention is a sprayer comprising a motorized liquid spray head or a sprayer pump assembly. It includes an operating mechanism adapted to provide the user with a push button actuated automatic sprayer for any variety of generally liquid or fluid materials. Examples of materials that can be dispensed or sprayed by the automatic sprayer of the present invention include cleaning substances such as a glass cleaner and the like. The present invention can also be used to spray or mist products with water and can be used to distribute insecticides, fungicides or the like. It can also be used for a wide range of other products or substances, for example, sunscreens, liquid cleaners, disinfectants, herbicides, virtually any substance that can be distributed, applied or used in a spray, in atomized form, steam, jet, spray or mist.

The sprayer of the present invention comprises a housing or fixing element designed to fit typical common bottles or other containers to contain substances. An example of such a container is the type used to hold common window cleaners. The sprayer, particularly the nozzle, of the present invention can be adjusted from a fine mist to an overall coherent strong jet.

In one embodiment, the invention includes a pick-up tube, arranged inside the container or bottle to which the sprayer is attached, which is balanced and flexible enough to allow the automatic sprayer to work at any angle and inverted. .

In one embodiment, the weight at the end of the pickup tube can be a die cast or bronze weight with a slot at the end. The slot prevents the suction associated with the weight from blocking or closing against the side of the bottle. In one embodiment, the catch tube to which the weight is attached is a highly flexible silicone material or a similar material, although any material can be selected as long as it is sufficiently flexible. The length of the pick-up tube should be selected so that it is not trapped or entangled.

The present invention comprises a battery operated liquid spray pump which can be used interchangeably in typical containers or bottles for a variety of substances. The spray pump of the present invention can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, in the home, cleaning solutions such as glass cleaner can be sprayed or distributed with it. In the shop, for automotive uses, various cleaning materials can be dispensed or applied using the sprayer of the present invention. In gardening, the present invention can be used to spray or dispense insecticides, herbicides, or to wet plants. It can be used in a wide variety of applications or uses at home or at work, wherever hand-operated sprayers are currently in use.

ES 2 303 333 T3

In one embodiment, the pump or sprayer assembly of the invention has two batteries (as many batteries as suitable can be used) that are housed within the neck of the container or bottle in a tube-shaped housing when the sprayer of the invention is attached to a bottle or container.

In one embodiment, the sprayer of the present invention comprises a trigger, for example a trigger-type push button, which connects a motorized pumping system, bringing the liquid to the sprayer nozzle under pressure and producing a mist of adjustable spray. The trigger allows on / off control with the fingertip. The user simply touches or presses the button when spraying is desired, releases the button and spraying stops. In one embodiment, an offset pickup tube inside the bottle allows spraying at any angle.

In one embodiment, the sprayer assembly of the present invention is designed to fit any normal cleaner bottle, but can also comprise an empty bottle that the user can fill and use to dispense substances.

In some embodiments, a small funnel may be provided. Other features of the present invention may include a nozzle which can be adjusted from a fine mist to a substantially coherent strong jet. The attachment feature of the sprayer head assembly of the present invention must be adapted to fit a typical normal size bottle or container and in some embodiments, it may be adapted to fit various sized orifice containers. In one embodiment, the attachment or connector feature is a threaded adapter piece. The electrical system associated with the present invention must be waterproof so that the components must not rust or corrode due to contact with water or chemicals, including cleaning agents or soap. The present invention comprises a motorized piston pump and a nozzle for attachment to a container whereby the contents of the container can be dispensed.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a dispensing fixture for mounting on or in a container containing a substance to be dispensed wherein the dispenser comprises a power source, for example batteries, a motor, a drive mechanism, a pump, a nozzle, and a pickup tube.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes a safety lock, which may comprise any method suitable for an operator to conveniently and easily lock or unlock the trigger or actuation button of the invention . In one embodiment, it may comprise a safety lock lever or a slide-type button. In some embodiments, the invention may be available with a child safety cap.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a power sprayer assembly comprising a motor, a piston pump, a compensated flexible pickup or liquid draw tube, a battery housing, and an adjustable nozzle. Suitable liquid conduits can be used to connect the liquid conducting parts of the invention and provide a path for flow. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a simple trigger or push button actuation switch to replace the hand pump and pump trigger or actuation mechanisms typically found in such sprayers and allows the user to spray. without excessive pumping or flexing of the finger or hand. In some embodiments, the switch may be a two-state "on / off" switch. In other embodiments, a variable speed switching arrangement may be used. Such an arrangement may incorporate a microprocessor, a rheostat, or other suitable control components.

An advantage of the spray head of the present invention is that the batteries, or any other suitable power source, fits inside the neck of the bottle when the spray head is attached to the bottle, thus balancing and convenience, comfort, handling, and use of the invention are facilitated.

In one embodiment, the entire pump assembly including its handle portion and the battery assembly extending into the bottle must be adapted to hinge around a threaded cap as one piece. This makes it easy to install the spray head on a bottle or other container.

In one embodiment, the bottle can rotate between selected dispensing configurations including spray and jet. The nozzle can be adapted to provide indications, graphically or otherwise, of these and other operating conditions. In some embodiments, the sprayer can be adapted, by incorporating suitable electronic components, to provide sensing and indicative characteristics or electronic control characteristics, eg, adjustable rheostatic outlet pressure control. For example, the sprayer can detect and display dispensing pressure, remaining content, and so on.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a motorized sprayer pump head that includes a battery housing, batteries, a straw-shaped liquid pick-up or draw tube, a soft hose, a pump, a motor and gear set, a safety locking tab, a

ES 2 303 333 T3 initiator chamber, a multi-position nozzle, a trigger contact switch, a trigger and a compensated pickup tube. It should be noted that the safety locking tab may be adapted to interrupt the power supply or physically allow or disallow the placement or depressing of the trigger.

The components of the present invention are suitably housed or extend from a housing which may be formed of a series of joined pieces or which may be formed as a single piece.

The present invention comprises a housing for containing or mounting the components and functional features of the present invention. At the outlet end of the housing, the invention includes a nozzle cap which provides spray adjustment. An inner washer and a rubber washer are provided to provide a sealing gasket and an axial cover is provided to close the end. The invention provides a fluid path in the housing which includes a first one-way valve, a suitable connecting tube, and a second one-way valve. One end of the second one-way valve is coupled to a piston housing which contains a piston ring and a connecting rod for reciprocating movement. The piston ring and connecting rod are functionally coupled to a gearbox containing a gear, in turn driven by a motor. These components are suitably housed in the cover or housing. The housing is adapted to carry a threaded structure in the form of a cap for attachment to the neck of a bottle or other container. A battery tube or housing generally extends from the underside of the cover through the cover portion. This provides a waterproof or liquid proof housing for a required number of batteries.

On the intake side, the present invention comprises an absorbent tube carrying at one end a plastic ring and a tube connector. A push button trigger is associated with the housing and a safety lock is functionally coupled to the housing so that it can affect the function of the trigger.

A suitable valve or flow control arrangement is provided to balance the pressure using, for example, a suitable one-way valve or valves.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a hand-held spray gun and a supply assembly comprising a housing with a hand grip portion, a housing-mounted pump assembly including a pump and a housing. nozzle, the pump comprising a cylinder with an intake and a piston mounted on the cylinder for pumping fluid from the intake through the nozzle. An electric motor is mounted in the housing and batteries are inside a special container associated with the housing. A switch on a face of the housing adjacent to the handgrip is provided to drive or activate the motor and thus the pump, and a tube hangs from the housing inside the container to supply liquid from the container to the intake for discharge through the nozzle.

The present invention, in another embodiment, is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container provided with an orifice surrounded by a neck. The dispenser comprises a cover, a dispensing head, a power source, and a conduit. The cap is adapted to fluidly seal the orifice when the dispenser is coupled to the container. The dispensing head is hingedly attached to the cover and includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to activate the pump, a trigger adapted to actuate the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the the bomb. The power source is electrically connected to the motor and extends into the container. The conduit has a first end in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and a second end within the container. In some embodiments, the power source may be positioned adjacent the plugs without or only slightly extending within the container.

The present invention, in another embodiment, is a dispensing accessory for attachment to a container containing a substance to be dispensed. The dispensing fixture comprises a motor, a drive mechanism adapted to drive the motor, a pump driven by the motor and including an intake end and a discharge end, a housing that encloses the motor and the pump, a nozzle in fluid communication with the discharge end of the pump and a generally flexible pickup tube. The generally flexible collection tube has a first end and a second end. The first end is in fluid communication with the intake end of the pump. The second end is free and carries a weight formed from a material resistant to corrosion and oxidation.

The present invention is a sprayer for dispensing a fluid. The sprayer includes a fluid container and a motor-driven pump. The motor-driven pump includes a pump cylinder, a fluid path, and a vent arrangement. The fluid path functionally connects the container, the pump, and a discharge port. The vent arrangement includes a first outlet and a second outlet associated with the pump cylinder. The first outlet is adapted to allow the entry of air into the interior of the cylinder and the second outlet is in fluid communication with the container, generally opposite the first outlet, and adapted to allow the entry of air and excess fluid into the inside the container.

While multiple embodiments are set forth, other embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which presents and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be seen, the invention can

ES 2 303 333 T3 undergo modifications in various obvious aspects, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a side elevation view without the safety lock of the hand-held automatic sprayer of the subject of the invention mounted in a reservoir adapted to contain a fluid.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the safety lock side of the hand-held automatic sprayer and tank in which the sprayer is not mounted on the tank.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the safety lock in the disconnected position taken along section line AA of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the safety lock side of the sprayer in which the safety lock side of the housing has been removed to reveal the pumping mechanism and the cap is partially cut away to reveal a coupling used to securely secure. Screw the battery tube to the cap.

Figure 4a shows an embodiment of a piston of the pumping mechanism shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view of an automatic sprayer.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken through the nozzle assembly.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the inside of the nozzle cap.

Figure 8 is an isometric view of the discharge end of the nozzle valve.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken through the nozzle assembly.

Figure 10 is an isometric view of the discharge end of the nozzle valve.

Figure 11 is an elevational view of the inside of the nozzle cap.

Figure 12 is a front elevational view of the spherical weight that is mounted on the end of the intake hose.

Figure 13 is an isometric view of the spherical weight that is mounted on the end of the intake hose.

Detailed description

The present invention is an advantageous novel hand-held automatic sprayer having a motorized means for pumping a fluid from a reservoir containing the fluid. As will be understood from this detailed description, the automatic sprayer of the present invention has a configuration that allows it to closely resemble the size, look, and feel of normal hand-operated sprayers. Therefore, the automatic sprayer of the present invention is easier to hold and less tiring to use compared to previous automatic sprayers.

Figure 1 is a side elevation view without the safety lock of the hand-held automatic sprayer 2 of the subject of the invention mounted on a tank 4 (that is, a container of a common household liquid, for the workshop or for garden such as bathroom cleaner, window cleaner, ARMOR ALL^®, fungicides, herbicides, pesticides, water, etc.). As shown in Figure 1, the automatic sprayer 2 includes a spray head 3, a cap 14, a battery tube 16, and a flexible intake tube 18 with a weight 20. When the sprayer 2 is mounted on the tank 4, the spray head 3 and the lid 14 are positioned outside the tank 4, while the battery tube 16, the flexible intake tube 18 and the weight 20 are placed inside tank 4.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the safety lock side of the hand-held automatic sprayer 2 and the tank 4 in which the sprayer 2 is not mounted on the tank 4. As shown in figure 2, the head Spray nozzle 3 includes a housing 6, a nozzle cap 8, a trigger 10, and a safety lock 12.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 6 is ergonomically contoured in such a way that the part of the hand between the thumb and index finger rests against the contour of the X part while the index finger is position to depress trigger 10. Housing 6 contains spray mechanism for sprayer 2.

ES 2 303 333 T3

As indicated in Figure 2, the reservoir 4 has a hole surrounded by a neck 22 with a male thread. As shown in Figure 1, cap 14 joins sprayer 2 to reservoir 4 through a female thread adapted to mate with male threads on neck 22. Cap 14 is adapted to be compatible with most containers 4 used to contain common household, workshop and garden liquids. However, in one embodiment, one or more adapters are provided with the sprayer 2 to facilitate connection of the sprayer to the necks 22 of most, if not all, of the containers 4.

In one embodiment, the spray head 3 is hingedly attached to the cap 14 such that the spray head 3 can freely rotate 360 ​​° about a vertical axis passing through the center point of the neck 22. This facilitates the attachment of the sprayer 2 to the neck 22 of the reservoir.

Trigger 10 is used to operate sprayer 2. As indicated in Figures 1 and 2, in one embodiment, automatic sprayer 2 is actuated by partially moving trigger 10 within the housing.

6.

As illustrated in Figure 2, in one embodiment, the safety lock 12 is movable horizontally along the housing 6 between a position marked "OFF" and a position marked "ON". As depicted in Figure 3, which is a plan view of the safety lock 12 in the disconnected position taken along section line AA in Figure 2, when the safety lock 12 is slid into the off position which is closer to trigger 10 than on position, safety lock 12 prevents trigger 10 from moving inside housing 6. Therefore, when the safety lock 12 is in the off position, the automatic sprayer 2 cannot be actuated through the trigger 10. On the contrary, when the safety lock 12 is in the on position, the trigger 10 can be moved inside the housing 6 to operate the automatic sprayer 2.

As illustrated in Figure 3, safety lock 12 includes a slide knob 25 secured by screw 27 to block 29. Housing 6 is sandwiched between knob 25 and block 29 and has a slot 31 through which button 25 extends to engage block 29. Slot 31 is long enough to allow safety lock 12 to slide in or out of engagement with trigger 10. Block 29 has a dent 33 that mates with a depression 35 in housing 6. The dent 33 and depression 35 serve to positively hold the safety lock 12 in the disconnected position and provide a latching sound to indicate engagement. security lock 12.

In other embodiments, the sprayer 2 may use other security measures to prevent unintentional discharge from the sprayer 2. These security measures may include other mechanical means to lock and unlock the trigger 10 of the sprayer 2, means to prevent the electrical circuit that operates the sprayer 2 is completed or a child-resistant safety cap for placement on the nozzle cap 8 is completed.

As indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the nozzle cap 8 is hingedly attached to the housing 6 and allows a user to select between a spray or jet type application of the fluid. In one embodiment, the nozzle cap 8 has four sides and each side may have a word or other symbol on it, such as for example "SPRAYER" or "JET". In some embodiments other indicators, words or symbols may be used, for example the word "DISCONNECT" may be used on one of the sides. To select a jet type application (that is, the flow of liquid from the nozzle cap 8 is a strong, generally consistent stream), the nozzle cap 8 is rotated until the cap side of the nozzle 8 with the word “JET” facing upwards. Similarly, to select a spray type application (that is, the liquid flowing from the nozzle cap 8 is a generally fine mist), the nozzle cap 8 is rotated until the cap side of the nozzle nozzle 8 with the word “SPRAYER” is pointing upwards. In embodiments that include a disconnect setting, when the nozzle cap 8 is turned until the side of the nozzle cap 8 with the word "DISCONNECT" faces upward, the nozzle cap 8 will close. and no flow can be emitted from the nozzle cap 8.

As shown in Figure 1, when the sprayer 2 is mounted on a tank 4, the battery tube 16 extends from the lid 14 down into the tank 4. In one embodiment, as indicated in Figure 2, the battery tube 16 contains three AAA batteries 24 that can be replaced when they are exhausted. In other embodiments, the battery tube 16 may include a greater or lesser number of batteries 24. Also, the batteries 24 can be of other sizes, such as AA. To allow replacement of the batteries 24, the battery tube 16 is threaded so that it can be removed from the sprayer 2.

In one embodiment, the disposable batteries 24 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are replaced by a rechargeable battery that is permanently installed in the battery tube 16. Once the power of the rechargeable battery has been depleted, the battery tube The batteries 16 are removed by unscrewing it from the sprayer 2 and inserted into a charger for recharging. In some embodiments, recharging can be carried out inductively.

In one embodiment, when the sprayer 2 itself is disposable, the disposable batteries 24 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are replaced by a permanently installed condenser and coil system or a set of non-rechargeable batteries. Therefore, once the power from the capacitor or non-rechargeable batteries has been

ES 2 303 333 T3 exhausted, the entire sprayer 2 is thrown away. In some embodiments, the power source may be positioned adjacent to cap 14, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 2, depicting a capacitor 24 'at the proximity of the cap 14.

Placing the sprayer power source (ie, batteries 24) within reservoir 4 or adjacent to lid 14 is advantageous for at least two reasons. First, because the sprayer 2 can have any energy source that lasts longer and is more powerful without resulting in oversizing and a very bulky housing 6. Second, the placement of the batteries 24 inside the tank lowers the center of gravity of the sprayer. This makes a tank 4 equipped with the sprayer 2 less likely to tip over when deposited on a surface. Furthermore, placing the weight of the batteries 24 below the grip point of the sprayer 2 reduces the fatigue caused by the use of the sprayer 2, compared to placing the weight of the batteries 24 above the grip point (i.e. in the upper parts of the housing 6). Another advantage is that placing the batteries in a position in which the contents of the tank can come into contact with them or with their housing is that the contents help to keep the batteries cool. The reduction of heat advantageously helps to extend the life of the batteries.

As shown in Figure 1, the intake hose 18 has a discharge end that is in fluid communication with the spray mechanism contained in the housing 6 and an intake end that terminates inside the weight 20 and is in fluid communication with the fluid 26 contained within the reservoir 4. The flexible intake tube equipped with a weight 18 is advantageous in that it allows the sprayer 2 to operate regardless of the orientation of the sprayer 2 and its attached reservoir 4. For example, when the sprayer 2 operates in a vertical position as set forth in In FIG. 1, the weight 20 causes the intake end of the flexible tube 18 to dip toward the bottom of the fluid 26. Similarly, when sprayer 2 operates in an inverted position and fluid 26 has accumulated in the vicinity of neck 22 of reservoir 4, weight 20 causes the intake end of flexible tube 18 to sink to the bottom of the fluid. 26 (that is, in the vicinity of cover 14). Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the reservoir 4, the weight 20 causes the intake end of the flexible tube 18 to remain in fluid communication with the fluid 26 in the reservoir 4.

For a detailed description of the pumping mechanism contained in the housing 6 and a description of the overall operation of the automatic sprayer 2, reference is now made to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is an elevational view of the side of the safety lock of the sprayer 2 in which the side of the safety lock of the housing 6 has been removed to reveal the pumping mechanism and the cap 14 is partially cut away to reveal a coupling 28 used to screw the battery tube 16 to the cap 14. Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view of an automatic sprayer 2.

As indicated in Figures 4 and 5, the pumping mechanism is contained within the housing 6 and includes an electric motor 30, a transmission 32 and a pump 34. The motor 30 includes a drive gear 36 and the transmission 32 includes a series of three gears 38a, 38b, 38c, a cam 40, and a cam follower shaft 42. Pump 34 includes a piston 44 that is linearly movable within a cylinder 46 of pump 34. Figure 4a shows in more detail that the piston has protrusions 45, with tips 47, which help to clean, purge or "sweep" the cylinder 46. The protrusions facilitate the pumping of the contents, helping to seal the cylinder acting as " O-rings ”and creating maximum pump suction to pull and push out the fluid or liquid being dispensed. The projections also aid in the replacement of inward air pressure and the return of excess liquid or fluid to the container, thereby helping to prevent both leakage and vacuum in the reservoir. Although two generally annular circumferential projections are exposed, it should be understood that other embodiments may be used, for example using a different number of projections or differently shaped projections. Also, the projections can be generally flexible particularly at the tips or be formed integrally with the piston, or they can be separate structures such as rings, which are functionally coupled or carried by the piston. While Figures 4, 4a and 5 illustrate the use of a piston-type pump 34, those skilled in the art will quickly understand that a gear pump or other suitable pumping mechanism can replace the piston pump 34 without thereby get out of the spirit of invention.

As indicated in Figures 4 and 5, drive gear 36 drives gear 38a, which in turn drives gear 38b, which in turn drives gear 38c. Gear 38c causes cam 40 to rotate, which causes cam stylus shaft 42 to reciprocate, linearly. Linear displacement of cam stylus shaft 42 causes piston 44 to reciprocate linearly within cylinder 46 of pump 34.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base of housing 6 has a slotted neck 48 that receives a disk 50 therein. Disc 50 is attached to the top of coupling 28, which is hingedly mounted within cap 14. As shown in Figure 5, cap 14 has a water resistant ring 54 to seal the cap. hole in neck 22 of reservoir 4 when cap 14 is tightly threaded.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the top of the battery tube 16 has a plurality of male threads 56 for threaded engagement of female threads within the coupling 28. When the battery tube 16 is tightly threaded into the Inside the coupling 28, a gasket ring 58 prevents any fluid 26 from entering the battery tube 16 from the reservoir 4.

ES 2 303 333 T3

As shown in FIG. 4, a negative conductor 60 makes electrical contact with the negative pole of the lower battery 24. The negative conductor 60 is electrically connected to a first negative conductive path 62 that runs along the length of the tube. batteries 16 to make electrical contact with a negative conductive ring 64 mounted on the inside surface of the bottom of coupling 28. Negative conductive ring 64 makes electrical contact with a second negative conductive path 66 and runs to a first electrical wire in motor 30.

As depicted in Figure 4, the coupling 28 has a positive lead 68 for making electrical contact with the positive pole of the upper battery 24 in the battery tube 16. The positive lead 68 is electrically connected to a first positive conductive path. 69 which is electrically connected to a conductive bushing 70 proximate trigger 10. A conductive cap 72 is mounted on trigger 10 and is oriented and configured to engage conductive sleeve 70 when trigger 10 is depressed by the user.

As indicated in Figure 4, a second positive conductive path 74 is electrically connected to conductive cap 72 and runs to a second electrical wire in motor 30. When trigger 10 is depressed, conductive cap 72 and conductive sleeve 70 they are placed in electrical contact. This completes the electrical circuit between the power supply (ie, batteries 24) and motor 30 and causes sprayer 2 to run. In one embodiment, a portion of the second positive conductive path 74 is formed around the hinge point 76 of the trigger 10 to serve as a spring to bias the trigger 10 forward.

As depicted in Figure 4, when piston 44 is moved toward the nozzle cap 8, air is drawn into the interior through a first air check valve 78 (which in one embodiment is a non-return valve). spring loaded ball type check valve) into the rear section 46a of cylinder 46. In one embodiment, the first air check valve 78 is positioned in the vicinity of the cylinder head 46. On its backward stroke, as piston 44 travels away from nozzle cap 8, air is forced out of rear section 46a of cylinder 46, into an air tube 80, through a second air check valve 82 (which in one embodiment is a spring loaded ball type check valve), through an air channel 84 that runs through the coupling 28 and into the tank 4 to avoid vacuum blockage when the sprayer 2 is operating. In one embodiment, the second air check valve 82 is positioned in the vicinity of the bottom of the cylinder 46 approximately opposite the first air check valve 78. This linear or in-line arrangement allows any moisture that accumulates in the rear section 46a of the cylinder 46 to be purged, cleaned, swept or drained from the rear section 46a into the reservoir 4. This purging is enhanced by the projections 45.

As indicated in Figure 4, when the piston 44 moves away from the nozzle cap 8, the fluid 26 is drawn into the intake port 86 of the intake hose 18, through the intake hose. 18 (passing through coupling 28), through a fluid check valve 88 (which in one embodiment is a spring loaded ball type check valve) and into the front section 46b of cylinder 46. In one embodiment, fluid check valve 88 is located in the vicinity of the bottom of cylinder 46. As piston 44 moves toward nozzle cap 8, fluid 26 is forced out of front section 46b of cylinder 46 and through nozzle assembly 90 to atmosphere.

As depicted in Figure 5, the nozzle assembly 90 includes a nozzle tube 100, a nozzle valve 102, and the nozzle cap 8. As illustrated in Figure 6, which is a vertical section Taken through the nozzle assembly 90, the nozzle tube 100 has a nozzle channel 110, a hinge surface wall 111, and a pin 112 on which the nozzle valve 102 is mounted. The nozzle cap 8 is hingedly mounted around the wall of the hinge surface 111 and the wall of the hinge surface 111 has at least one flange 113 which engages a corresponding slot in the nozzle cap. 8 to retain the nozzle cap 8 in place.

As indicated in Figure 6 and more clearly set forth in Figure 7, which is an isometric view of the interior of the nozzle cap 8, the nozzle cap 8 has at least one channel 114 that is in communication fluidic with the nozzle channel 110. The nozzle cap 8 also has a slotted area 115 surrounding a discharge port 116.

As illustrated in Figure 6 and more clearly set forth in Figure 8, which is an isometric view of the discharge end of nozzle valve 102, nozzle valve 102 has a radial channel 120 and a tangential channel. 122 leading to a circular slotted center 124 in the center of the end of the nozzle. The circular slotted center 124 and slotted area 115 in the nozzle cap 8 combine to form a swirl chamber. Tangential channel 122 and radial channel 120 each have a conductive channel 126 that is slotted within the cylindrical side 128 of nozzle valve 102.

As shown in Figure 6, when the nozzle cap 8 is rotated around the wall of the hinge surface 111 such that the word "JET" on the nozzle cap 8 faces upward, the channel Cap 114 is positioned in fluid communication with conductive channel 126 that is associated with radial channel 120. Therefore, when the nozzle 2 is actuated, the liquid travels through the nozzle channel 110, the cap channel 114, the conductive channel 126, the radial channel 120, the swirl chamber 115, 124 and out. of orifice 116 as a jet-type flow.

ES 2 303 333 T3

Similarly, when the nozzle cap 8 is rotated around the wall of the hinge surface 111 such that the word "SPRAYER" on the nozzle cap 8 faces upward, the cap channel 114 it is placed in fluid communication with conductive channel 126 that is associated with tangent channel 122. Therefore, when the nozzle 2 is actuated, the liquid travels through the nozzle channel 110, the cap channel 114, the conductive channel 126, the tangential channel 122, the swirl chamber 115, 124 and out. of orifice 116 as a spray type flow.

In some embodiments, when the nozzle cap 8 is rotated around the wall of the hinge surface 111 to select a position, the conductive channels 126 are not placed in fluid communication with the cap channel 114. Consequently , the liquid cannot flow through the nozzle assembly 90.

An alternative configuration for the nozzle assembly 90 is depicted in Figure 9, which is a vertical section taken through the nozzle assembly 90. As indicated in Figure 9 and more clearly set forth in Figure 10, which is an isometric view of the discharge end of the nozzle valve 102, the nozzle valve 102 has a conductive channel 126 that is slotted into the cylindrical side 128 of the nozzle valve 102. The conductive channel 126 runs from the vicinity of the base of the nozzle valve 126 to the end 150 of the nozzle valve 102, which is generally uniformly flat.

As indicated in Figure 9 and more clearly set forth in Figure 11, which is an elevational view of the inside of the nozzle cap 8, the nozzle cap 8 has at least one radial channel 220 slotted within of the inner surface of the nozzle cap 8. The nozzle cap 8 also has at least one tangential channel 222 slotted into the inner surface of the nozzle cap 8. Each radial and tangential channel 220, 222 extends to a central circular slotted area 215 on the inside of the nozzle cap surface 8. The circular slotted area 215 surrounds the discharge port 116. The circular slotted area 215 serves as turbulence chamber.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 9, the circular slotted area 215 tapers toward the discharge port 116 and, as a result, has a Y-shaped cross section. In another embodiment, the slotted area circular 215 does not taper toward discharge port 116, but has a surface that is generally perpendicular to the axis of discharge port 116. In other words, the circular slotted area 215 has a T-shaped cross section as set forth in Figure 6.

As shown in Figure 9, when the nozzle cap 8 is rotated around the wall of the hinge surface 111 such that the word "JET" on the nozzle cap 8 faces upward, the channel Radial 220 is placed in fluid communication with conductive channel 126. Therefore, when the sprayer 2 is actuated, the liquid travels through the nozzle channel 110, the conductive channel 126, the radial channel 220, the swirl chamber 215, and out of the orifice 116 as a flow of the type jet.

Similarly, when the nozzle cap 8 is rotated around the wall of the hinge surface 111 such that the word "SPRAYER" on the nozzle cap 8 faces upward, the tangential channel 222 is positioned in fluid communication with conductive channel 126. Therefore, when the nozzle 2 is actuated, the liquid travels through the nozzle channel 110, the conductive channel 126, the tangential channel 222, the swirl chamber 215 and out of the orifice 116 as a flow type of spray.

As indicated in Figures 12 and 13, which are front and isometric elevational views, respectively, of the spherical weight 20 that is mounted on the end of the intake flex tube 18, the intake port 86 is slotted in the center of a disc 92 mounted on the spherical weight 20. Disc 92 has channels 94 running from the outer circumference of disc 92 to intake port 86, thereby forming protrusions 96 that extend beyond intake port 86. Protrusions 96 and channels 94 combine to prevent the intake port 86 from being blocked by a surface of the reservoir 4 or the lid 14.

In one embodiment, weight 20 is a very dense polymer sphere. In other embodiments, the weight 20 can be ceramic, glass, rubber, die-cast metal, bronze, and the like.

Regardless of the material selected, the material must be resistant to the corrosive effects of the liquid contained in tank 4 and dense enough to be immersed in the liquid. The weight 20 is dimensioned to be heavy enough to drag the intake port 86 of the flexible tube 18 to the very bottom of the fluid 26 contained in the reservoir 4, regardless of whether the reservoir 4 is oriented vertically, sideways, or inverted, and so on.

In one embodiment, the intake hose 18 is a highly flexible silicone rubber. In other embodiments, the intake hose 18 is another highly flexible polymer. The length of the inlet hose 18 is sufficient to reach the bottom of the container, but not too long to become entangled with itself.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in shape and detail can be made without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.