Portable pressurized sprayer

Abstract

A tank holding a quantity of liquid releasably connects to a portable pump assembly through a connector to provide a portable sprayer. The tank connects to a feed line that supplies spray nozzle with the liquid. The connector combines a quick disconnect connector with a pressure relief valve. The portable pump assembly includes an electric pump, a switch assembly, and a check valve. The portable pump assembly directs gas through the check valve into the connector to increase the gas pressure in the tank and force the liquid in the tank to flow through the feed line and out the spray nozzle. The switch assembly turns off the electric pump when the gas pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined limit while maintaining the flow of liquid through the spray nozzle.

Claims

1. A pressurized sprayer comprising: a tank configured to hold a quantity of liquid and having an opening to facilitate connection to a feed line for supplying the liquid to a spray nozzle; and a portable pump assembly releasably connected to the tank through a tank connector, wherein the portable pump assembly comprises an assembly housing having contained therein an electric pump, a switch assembly, and a connecting mechanism, wherein a first end of the connecting mechanism is connected to a dial and a second end of the connecting mechanism comprises a pump connector releasably connected to the tank connector, wherein the dial is attached to the connecting mechanism so that the dial and the pump connector of the connecting mechanism rotate as a single body without rotating the assembly housing, wherein the portable pump assembly directs a gas through a check valve contained within the connecting mechanism into the tank connector to increase a gas pressure in the tank and force the liquid in the tank to flow through the feed line and out the spray nozzle, and wherein the switch assembly turns off the electric pump when the gas pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined limit while maintaining a flow of liquid through the spray nozzle.

2. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein, when the portable pump assembly is connected to the tank, the portable pump assembly is not rotatable or releasable until the dial is rotated.

3. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein the portable pump assembly comprises a portable power supply.

4. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 3, wherein the portable power supply is rechargeable.

5. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein the tank comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface of the tank comprises a recessed portion for receiving the portable pump assembly such that the portable pump assembly is not rotatable.

6. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein the portable pump assembly comprises a port for receiving a power source.

7. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 6, wherein the portable pump assembly comprises an outlet port for connecting a cable to provide power from the portable pump assembly to another device.

8. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein the gas is air.

9. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein, when the portable pump assembly is disconnected from the tank, the gas pressure within the tank is substantially maintained.

10. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein the pump connector of the connecting mechanism provides a push-on connection of the portable pump assembly to the tank connector, and rotation of the dial rotates the pump connector of the connecting mechanism to release the portable pump assembly from the tank connector.

11. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 10, wherein the pump connector of the connecting mechanism includes flexible fingers that engage slots on the tank connector for the push-on connection in a first direction, wherein the slots prevent separation of the portable pump assembly from the tank connector via pulling in a second direction opposite the first direction.

12. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 11, wherein rotating the dial moves nibs of the flexible fingers out of the slots on the tank so that the portable pump assembly can be disengaged from the tank connector by pulling in the second direction.

13. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 11, wherein the first direction is axial to a direction of rotation of the dialing mechanism.

14. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein the dial extends to a first outer surface of the assembly housing and the pump connector extends to an opposing outer surface of the assembly housing.

15. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 1, wherein the dial is releasably connected to the connecting mechanism.

16. A portable pressurized sprayer comprising: a tank for holding a quantity of liquid, the tank having an opening to facilitate connection to a feed line for supplying the liquid to a spray nozzle; a portable pump assembly releasably connected to the tank by a connecting mechanism comprising a pump connector configured to provide connection between the connecting mechanism of the portable pump assembly and a connector of the tank, wherein the portable pump assembly directs gas through a check valve contained within the connecting mechanism into the connector of the tank to increase a gas pressure in the tank and force the liquid in the tank to flow through the feed line and out the spray nozzle, and wherein the portable pump assembly comprises a switch assembly configured to turn off an electric pump of the portable pump assembly when the gas pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined limit while maintaining a flow of liquid through the spray nozzle; and a support frame system for releasably attaching the tank and portable pump assembly, wherein the support frame system is configured to be supported on a user's back wherein the pump connector of the connecting mechanism includes flexible fingers that engage slots on the tank connector for a push-on connection in a first direction, wherein the slots prevent separation of the portable pump assembly from the tank connector via pulling in a second direction opposite the first direction.

17. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 16, wherein rotating the connecting mechanism moves nibs of the flexible fingers out of the slots on the tank connector so that the portable pump assembly can be disengaged from the tank connector by pulling in the second direction.

18. The portable pressurized sprayer of claim 16, wherein the first direction is axial to a direction of rotation of the connecting mechanism.

19. A method for spraying liquid comprising the steps of: a) releasably connecting a portable pump assembly to a tank holding a quantity of liquid, wherein the portable pump assembly comprises a housing having a connecting mechanism contained therein, wherein a first end of the connecting mechanism is connected to a dial and a second end of the connecting mechanism comprises a pump connector that can be releasably connected to the tank via a tank connector, wherein the dial is attached to the connecting mechanism so that the dial and the pump connector of the connecting mechanism rotate as a single body without rotating the housing, wherein the tank comprises an opening to facilitate connection to a feed line for supplying the liquid to a spray nozzle, and the portable pump assembly directs a gas through a check valve contained within the connecting mechanism into the tank connector to increase a gas pressure in the tank and force the liquid in the tank to flow through the feed line and out through the spray nozzle; b) actuating an electric pump within the housing of the portable pump assembly to pump the gas through the connecting mechanism of the portable pump assembly through the tank connector, wherein a switch assembly of the portable pump assembly turns off the electric pump when the gas pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined limit while maintaining a flow of the liquid through the spray nozzle; and c) disconnecting the portable pump assembly by rotating the dial and then removing the electric pump from the tank, wherein, when the portable pump assembly is disconnected from the tank, the gas pressure within the tank is substantially maintained.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portable pressurized sprayer, illustrating a detachable, portable pump assembly releasably connected to a tank.

(2) FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the tank shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the tank without a portable power pump assembly attached.

(3) FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the tank with portable power pump connected.

(4) FIG. 4A is a front view of the portable power pump without the manual pumping means or connector.

(5) FIG. 4B is a rear view of the portable power pump.

(6) FIG. 4C is a top perspective view of the portable power pump.

(7) FIG. 4D is a right side perspective view of the portable power pump.

(8) FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the manual pump in a broken line view of the tank.

(9) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the connecting mechanism partially engaged.

(10) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the connecting mechanism fully engaged.

(11) FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the connection means between the connector and connection mechanism.

(12) FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the connection means between the connector and connection mechanism showing rotation of the connection mechanism.

(13) FIG. 10 is an internal view of the portable pump assembly.

(14) FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the connection mechanism and the dialing mechanism.

(15) FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the portable pressurized sprayer and the backpack.

(16) FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the backpack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(17) Referring to the drawings and, particularly, to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a portable pressurized sprayer 100, particularly adapted for spraying liquids from a tank 102. The tank 102 serves as a reservoir for storing various liquids to allow the portable pressurized sprayer 100 to function as a multi-purpose sprayer. The portable pressurized sprayer 100 includes both a portable pump assembly 103 which is in fluid communication with the tank 102 and a manual pump 105 that is threadedly connected to the tank 102. The portable pump assembly 103 can function as an electric pump module or a power pack assembly.

(18) The portable pressurized sprayer 100 includes the tank 102, the portable pump assembly 103, the manual pump 105, a feed mechanism 107, and a spray nozzle 109. The portable pump assembly 103 is a self-contained, separately assembled module or unit that transports gas to the tank 102 through a connector 138 as shown in FIG. 2, that extends outwardly from the wall of the tank 102. The connector 138 releasably connects the portable pump assembly 103 to the tank 102 without transferring liquids from the interior of the tank 102 to the portable pump assembly 103. Preferably, the portable pump assembly 103 pumps air through the connector 138.

(19) The tank 102 holds a selected quantity of liquid. The portable pump assembly 103 directs air through the connector 138 into the tank 102 to increase the air pressure in the tank 102 to force the liquid to flow through the feed mechanism 107 and out of the spray nozzle 109. The portable pump assembly 103 compresses the air within the interior of the tank 102 without compressing the liquid contained therein.

(20) The portable pump assembly 103 maintains the flow of liquid through the spray nozzle 109 and has the ability to stop pumping air into the tank 102 when the air pressure in the tank 102 exceeds a predetermined limit. The ability of the portable pump assembly 103 to shut off the flow of air to the tank 102 enhances the safety of the portable pressurized sprayer 100. This function also conserves energy and increases the life of the individual components of the portable pressurized sprayer.

(21) As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 138 transports air into and out of the tank 102.

(22) As shown in FIG. 5, the manual pump 105 includes a screw cap 130, a handle 132, and a shaft 134. The screw cap 130 is threadedly connected to the top of the tank 102. The shaft 134 extends through the cap to allow the manual pump 105 to communicate with the interior of the tank 102. The handle is positioned on the top of the shaft 134.

(23) Liquid is discharged from the tank 102 by operation of the manual pump 105 to inject air into the tank 102, forcing the liquid to flow through the feed mechanism 107 and out of the spray nozzle 109. The manual pump 105 is utilized primarily when the portable pump assembly 103 is inoperable or disconnected from the tank 102. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the manual pump handle 132 is also utilized to facilitate carrying of the portable pressurized sprayer 100. Alternatively, the portable pressurized sprayer 100 may include a strap (not shown) to facilitate carrying.

(24) As shown in FIG. 1, the feed mechanism 107 connects the tank 102 and the spray nozzle 109 to facilitate transfer of liquids from the tank 102 for spraying. The feed mechanism 107 includes a flexible feed line 108, a spray wand 110, and a spray handle 112. The feed line 108 is in fluid communication with the tank 102.

(25) The tank 102, the portable pump assembly 103, the manual pump 105, the feed mechanism 107, and the spray nozzle 109 are made from any suitable materials through any suitable manufacturing process. Preferably, the tank 102 is made from a plastic material, preferably polyethylene. The side of the tank 102 comprises a recess 170 to receive the pump assembly as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, once the portable pump assembly 103 is inserted into the recess 170 of the tank 102, the portable pump assembly 103 is securely fixed to the tank 102.

(26) As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the portable pump assembly 103 is connected to the tank 102 by aligning the connector 138 with a connecting mechanism 150 integrally enclosed within the portable pump assembly 103. The connecting mechanism 150 inserts into connector 138 to actuate the flexible fingers 146 to releasably connect the portable pump assembly 103 to the tank 102.

(27) As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the portable pump assembly 103 housing connects to the connector by sliding the portable pump assembly 103 housing over the connector body until the shaft lock-lever nibs 148 of the connecting mechanism 150 attached to the flexible fingers 146 engage the slots 144 on the outside of the connector 138. The portable pump assembly 103 housing is prevented from rotating about the connector body by the two raised keys 172 on the connector 138 which engages two slots in the housing 174, shown in FIG. 4B, of the portable pump assembly 103. When the portable pump assembly housing is pushed onto the connector 138, the shaft lock-lever finger nibs 148 slide over the connector 138 and slide down into the slots 144 on the connector 138, locking the portable pump assembly 103 housing to the connector 138. The shaft lock-lever 142 internal diameter also slides over the connector pin 176 and seals to the O-ring on the pin to form a seal with the shaft lock-lever 142. As shown in FIG. 9, disconnection of the shaft lock-lever 142 and thus the portable pump assembly 103 from the connector 138 occurs when the dialing mechanism 152 attached to the shaft lever-lock 142 is rotated, preferably counter-clockwise, causing the shaft lock-lever nibs 148 to slide sideways out of the slots on the connector 138 allowing the portable pump assembly 103 to be removed from the connector 138. With the new connector 138 and connecting mechanism 150 of the present invention, the portable pump assembly 103, is pushed into recess 170 of the tank 102 and to rotate the portable pump assembly 103.

(28) The connecting mechanism 150 is releasably connected to a dialing mechanism 152 as shown in FIG. 11, which is located on the outward facing side (away from the tank 102) wherein the dialing mechanism 152 is rotated to turn the connecting mechanism 150 such that the first and second nibs 148 are turned and no longer fitted into the slots 144. The portable pump assembly 103 can then be removed from the tank 102 by simply pulling and removing the portable pump assembly 103 from the tank 102.

(29) The portable pump assembly 103 is pressed into the recess 170 area of the portable tank wherein the connecting mechanism 150 as shown in FIG. 9 is releasably connected with the connector 138. As a result, the portable pump assembly 103 is fit into the recess 170 of the tank and becomes more secure than the presently known spray tank assemblies by being less inclined to be knocked off or broken off from the tank as shown in FIG. 3.

(30) Referring now to FIGS. 4A-D and 10, the portable pump assembly 103 is a lightweight unit that includes a housing 139 for holding an internal pump mechanism. The pump mechanism includes an electric air pump 121, a switch assembly 123, a power supply 125, and a valve assembly inside the connecting mechanism 150. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is a check valve 180 as shown in FIGS. 6-7.

(31) The air pump 121 is electrically coupled to the switch assembly 123 and the power supply 125. The power supply 125 provides power to the electric air pump 121 until the switch assembly 123 turns off the air pump 121.

(32) The switch assembly 123 includes an air pressure switch 129 and an on/off switch 131. The air pressure switch 129 incorporates a pressure sensor and a microprocessor 162 to control and monitor the pressure in the tank 102. It prevents the internal pressure of the tank 102 from exceeding a predetermined limit, so that the internal pressure never reaches an unsafe level.

(33) The air pressure switch 129 is operable such that it can actuate the electric air pump 121. The air pressure switch 129 shuts off the electric air pump 121 when the internal pressure in the tank 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 reaches a predetermined limit. In this manner, the life of the power supply 125 and the electric air pump 121 is extended.

(34) The on/off switch 131 actuates the portable pump assembly. The on/off switch 131 can be a conventional on/off switch that allows a user to turn on or to manually shut off the portable pump assembly.

(35) The electric pump connects to the check valve 180 through tubing 182 to transport pressurized air to the tank 102. Tubing 182 connects the check valve 180 to the air pressure switch 129. The air pressure switch 129 transports the pressurized air through a nipple into tubing 182. Tubing 182 extends through an opening in the housing to transport air through the portable pump assembly 103 and into the tank 102, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

(36) The power supply is a conventional portable power supply device for operating the portable pump assembly 103 in environments in which access to electrical power sources is limited. The power supply includes a compartment that holds a device for storing power. The compartment includes a door that allows access to the power storing device through the housing.

(37) The portable pump assembly 103 may also include a rechargeable battery pack 148 positioned within a housing.

(38) The portable pump assembly 103 may also include a port 160 to facilitate recharging. The portable pump assembly 103 connects to a plug that is connected to a transformer through a cable. The transformer inserts into a wall outlet, so that the wall outlet transmits power to the power storing device or rechargeable battery pack 148 within the housing 139. The portable pump assembly 103 may also comprise a port 160 to facilitate the external discharge of power from the portable pump assembly 103 to power external devices.

(39) As shown in FIG. 10, the portable pump assembly 103 includes an upper half and a lower half that are releasably connected to one another through a conventional connecting device. The two halves can be separated from one another to provide access to the rechargeable battery pack 148 and to the other internal components of the portable pump assembly 103. The portable pump assembly 103 shown in FIG. 10, includes the connecting mechanism 150, as well as the dialing mechanism 152, as shown in FIG. 11.

(40) Another embodiment of a tank 102 is wherein the tank 102 includes a recess 170 in the tank wall for receiving the connector 138. Preferably, the connector 138 is positioned within the recess 170 so that an outer edge of the connector 138 does not protrude from the periphery of the outer surface of the tank 102. The positioning of the connector 138 within the recess 170 prevents the plunger member 176 from being unintentionally depressed in the event the tank is tipped over and the connector 138 is impacted. This prevents the tank from discharging prematurely.

(41) As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the backpack 190 functions as a support for the tank 102 on a human carrier's back. The backpack 190 is supported on the carrier's back using straps to support the weight mainly at the hips and on the shoulders for improved comfort. The hip and shoulder straps attach to a specially contoured back plate 196 which has a dovetailed slot system for supporting a platen 194. The platen 194 supports the bottom of the tank 102 and holds the tank 102 in place via a lever-lock system 202 designed into the platen 194. The elevation of the platen 194 can be adjusted along the dovetail slide 204 to properly locate the center of gravity of the tank for improved carrying comfort. Once the platen 194 is moved to the proper location, another lever-lock system 202 designed into the platen 194 locks the platen 194 elevation to the back plate 196. The advantage to making the platen 194 easy to be moved is improved comfort based on properly locating the tank center of gravity on the carrier's back. Once the tank 102 is in place on the platen 194 the tank 102 locks the lever mechanism in place such that the platen/tank elevation cannot be changed for safety during backpack 190 usage. The tank 102 is secured to the back plate 196 with a band 208 which is releasably connected to the back plate 196 with a connecting mechanism. The back plate 196 has a base or foot 206 which extends out past the back plate and supports the backpack 190 in the standing position on any flat surface (ex: ground) making it easier to place the tank 102 into the platen 194 without the backpack 190 being worn by the carrier. The back plate 196 also supports special breathable foam and fabrics in the upper shoulder and lumbar regions for added comfort. The tank 102 can also be releasably attached to a support frame to be worn on the back of the user of the tank 102. This allows the user to more ergonomically use the device for long periods of time without having to lift and carry a heavily loaded tank 102. One such support frame is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 but any suitable conventional support frame can also be used.

(42) According to the provisions of the patent statutes, we have explained the principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of our invention and have illustrated and described what we now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.