On-demand, inline, adjustable PSI commercial grade battery powered fluid pump apparatus with manual pump option
10226781 ยท 2019-03-12
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B05B9/0816
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B9/0426
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
An automated chemical fluid applicator apparatus includes a container of fluid chemical having an integrated pressurization device and an outlet for releasing the fluid chemical. A portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus is retrofitable to the container and has housing having at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid outlet port, wherein the at least one fluid inlet port is connectable to the outlet of the container. A liquid diaphragm pump is positioned within the housing. A battery is removably connectable to a battery terminal connector formed on the housing, wherein the battery powers the liquid diaphragm pump. A control switch is positioned on the housing and controls activation of the liquid diaphragm pump to expel the quantity of fluid chemical from the at least one fluid outlet port.
Claims
1. An automated chemical fluid applicator apparatus comprising: a container holding a quantity of fluid chemical, the container having an integrated pressurization device for pressurizing the quantity of fluid chemical at a first pressure level, and an outlet for releasing at least a portion of the quantity of fluid chemical; and a portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus connectable to the container, the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus having: a housing having at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid outlet port, wherein the at least one fluid inlet port is connectable to the outlet of the container, wherein the outlet of the container is positioned between the housing and the container and supports the housing in a position fully exterior of the container; a liquid diaphragm pump positioned within the housing; a battery removably connectable to a battery terminal connector formed on the housing, wherein the battery powers the liquid diaphragm pump; and a control switch positioned on the housing, wherein activation of the control switch engages the liquid diaphragm pump to expel the quantity of fluid chemical in the first pressure level received from the at least one fluid inlet port through the at least one fluid outlet port at a second pressure level, wherein the second pressure level is greater than the first pressure level.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the integrated pressurization device of the container further comprises a non-operational integrated pressurization device.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid chemical further comprises at least one of: an insecticide, a herbicide, a pesticide, a fungicide, and a germicide.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a pressurization level of the second pressure level is adjustable.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pressure level is 0 PSI and the second pressure level is 20 PSI.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery further comprises a removable, rechargeable, DC lithium tool battery.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the integrated pressurization device of the container further comprises at least one of: a plunger pump; and a pump motor.
8. An automated chemical fluid applicator apparatus comprising: a container holding a quantity of fluid chemical, the container having an integrated pressurization device for pressurizing the quantity of fluid chemical at a first pressure level, and an outlet for releasing at least a portion of the quantity of fluid chemical; and a portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus connectable to the container, the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus having: a housing having at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid outlet port, wherein the at least one fluid inlet port is connectable to the outlet of the container, wherein the housing is retrofitable to the container using a connection within a fluid hose extending from the container, wherein the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus is positioned in line with the fluid hose; a liquid diaphragm pump positioned within the housing; a battery removably connectable to a battery terminal connector formed on the housing, wherein the battery powers the liquid diaphragm pump; and a control switch positioned on the housing, wherein activation of the control switch engages the liquid diaphragm pump to expel the quantity of fluid chemical in the first pressure level received from the at least one fluid inlet port through the at least one fluid outlet port at a second pressure level, wherein the second pressure level is greater than the first pressure level.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the integrated pressurization device of the container further comprises a non-operational integrated pressurization device.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fluid chemical further comprises at least one of: an insecticide, a herbicide, a pesticide, a fungicide, and a germicide.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a pressurization level of the second pressure level is adjustable.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first pressure level is 0 PSI and the second pressure level is 20 PSI.
13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the battery further comprises a removable, rechargeable, DC lithium tool battery.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the integrated pressurization device of the container further comprises at least one of: a plunger pump; and a pump motor.
15. An automated chemical fluid applicator apparatus comprising: a container holding a quantity of fluid chemical, the container having an integrated pressurization device for pressurizing the quantity of fluid chemical at a first pressure level, and an outlet for releasing at least a portion of the quantity of fluid chemical; and a portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus connectable to the container, the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus having: a housing having at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid outlet port, wherein the at least one fluid inlet port is connectable to the outlet of the container, wherein the housing of the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus is positioned directly adjacent to a spray handle connected to the container with a fluid hose; a liquid diaphragm pump positioned within the housing; a battery removably connectable to a battery terminal connector formed on the housing, wherein the battery powers the liquid diaphragm pump; and a control switch positioned on the housing, wherein activation of the control switch engages the liquid diaphragm pump to expel the quantity of fluid chemical in the first pressure level received from the at least one fluid inlet port through the at least one fluid outlet port at a second pressure level, wherein the second pressure level is greater than the first pressure level.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the fluid chemical further comprises at least one of: an insecticide, a herbicide, a pesticide, a fungicide, and a germicide.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a pressurization level of the second pressure level is adjustable.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first pressure level is 0 PSI and the second pressure level is 20 PSI.
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the battery further comprises a removable, rechargeable, DC lithium tool battery.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the integrated pressurization device of the container further comprises at least one of: a plunger pump; and a pump motor.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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(13) The apparatus 10 overcomes the shortcomings of the conventional devices described in the Background by allowing the fluid chemical 12 to be expelled at an accurate and consistent pressure level, which meets the regulations put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other oversight organizations pertaining to the application of fluid chemicals in pesticide operations. Furthermore, the use of a battery-powered device over that of a hardwired, plugged-in, or manually operated device allows the apparatus 10 to be transported to virtually any location without limitation, and allows for proper application of the fluid chemical 12 without significant manual effort, such as that required by manually-operated devices. Additionally, the apparatus 10 can function to pressurize the chemical fluid 12 under various constraints, such as loss of battery power. For example, the chemical fluid 12 can be pressurized with just the integrated pressurization device 22, or with just the liquid diaphragm pump 50, or with a combination of the integrated pressurization device 22 and the liquid diaphragm pump 50. Thus, a user can rely on the integrated pressurization device 22 when the battery 60 experiences a power depletion or the user can rely on the liquid diaphragm pump 50 operated by the battery 60 to sidestep the use of a manually-pumped integrated pressurization device 22, as shown in
(14) As shown in
(15) The portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus 30 may include a housing 40 that is manufactured from durable materials such as plastics and metals, such that the housing 40 provides protection to the internal components of the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus 30. The liquid diaphragm pump 50 may be positioned fully or partially within the housing 40, and in most cases will have at least a portion thereof positioned external of the housing 40 to allow for proper ventilation and cooling of the liquid diaphragm pump 50. Any number of outlet ports 44 may be located on the housing 40, including an upper outlet port 44 located on a top side of the housing 40 and a lower outlet port 44 located on a bottom side of the housing 40. The inlet and outlet ports 42, 44 may include any type of fluid tubing or piping connection, such as threaded connections, press-on or snap-fit connections, or other mechanical connections to allow for various tubing, pipes, and hoses to be secured thereto.
(16) The housing 40 of the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus 30 may further include an integrated battery terminal connector 62 which may be molded into the body of the housing 40 or otherwise attached to the housing 40. The battery terminal connector 62, as further discussed relative to
(17) Once the chemical fluid 12 has achieved the desired pressure level within the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus 30, whether from the integrated pressurization device 22, the liquid diaphragm pump 50, or a combination thereof, the chemical fluid 12 may be expelled through a hose 80 attached to the outlet port 44 of the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus 30. The hose 80 may be connected to a spraying handle 82 which the user can hold to direct the location of spraying the chemical fluid 12. The spraying handle 82 may include various controls and switches, such as a handle with integrated trigger for releasing the chemical fluid 12 from the end nozzle of the spraying handle 82. Other types of spraying devices may also be used, all of which are included within the scope of the subject disclosure.
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(20) With reference to
(21) As shown in
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(23) In this design, the apparatus 10 may function the same way as described relative to
(24) Based on the disclosure of the apparatus 10 of
(25) Moreover, the use of the apparatus 10 offers the technician the ability to meet an exact or near exact pressure level. The EPA has guidelines per state for what PSI to spray chemicals indoors and this PSI requirement, which is normally 20 PSI is written on chemical labels. These chemicals may include a variety of different types, including insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, germicides, or others. The apparatus 10 can be equipped with a multi speed selector allowing for legal indoor spraying per EPA and Government standards but also allowing technicians to reach difficult settings, such as bee nest(s) located high above the ground, such as in trees, rooflines, or in large warehouses without having to pump the manual pump tank, since the technician can simply increase the PSI level with the control switch/selector.
(26) Another benefit of the apparatus 10 is that the technician does not have to wait for tank air to pressurize in order to pressurize the liquid. Rather, the on demand PSI pump pumps immediately at the designated pressure setting. However, if while the technician is using the apparatus 10, the battery were to be depleted of power, the technician still has the ability to use the apparatus 10 under the power of the integrated pressurization device, e.g., by manually pressurizing the tank air. Thus, if the technician has almost completed a job and the battery dies, he or she can still finish the job without interruption. To this end, it is noted that the technician could also replace the battery with a spare, fully charged battery and continue the job.
(27) As previously described, the apparatus 10 may be equipped with at least one liquid entry point and at least one liquid exit point. The liquid entering can be non-pressurized, allowing the technician to pump the pressure as normal with a manual pump. Or, if the apparatus 10 is activated, the technician can enjoy use of the apparatus 10 without pumping the liquid. In this case, the liquid would be non-pressurized on entry and then correctly pressurized upon exit by the selected PSI regulator. The apparatus 10 can be mounted on any existing pump tank or non-pump tank, and it can be mounted anywhere in line between the tank and the liquid nozzle. The apparatus may further include two outlets in the pump. One outlet will be normally open and one outlet will be normally closed. The one outlet which is open stays open allowing liquid to enter. The second, normally closed outlet will open under pressure either by the battery pump creating the pressure or pressure being created by the manual pump.
(28) It is further noted that the tank or container used in the apparatus 10 does not have to be pressurized, and does not even need a cap to work, e.g., the container does not need to be capable of being pressurized. An advancement of the apparatus 10 within the industry is that it allows for the ability to be mounted onto professional industry pump tanks and also as part of it design allows for the pump tank to work as a normal pump tank with the unit attached inline when the unit fails to perform due to a dead battery or no battery present. The function of the pump tank will operate as usual without disconnecting the invention from the pump tank. This feature is a designed feature which incorporates a check valve into the front port of the liquid pump allowing the liquid to pass through the liquid pump when the pump is not operating if and when the liquid is pressurized from the source of the professional pump tank.
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(30) As is shown by block 102, a container holding a quantity of fluid chemical is provided, where the container has an integrated pressurization device for pressurizing the quantity of fluid chemical, and an outlet for releasing at least a portion of the quantity of fluid chemical. A portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus is retrofitted to the container (block 104). The portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus has housing having at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid outlet port, wherein the at least one fluid inlet port is connectable to the outlet of the container (block 106). A liquid diaphragm is pump positioned within the housing (block 108). A battery is removably connectable to a battery terminal connector formed on the housing, wherein the battery powers the liquid diaphragm pump (block 110). A control switch is positioned on the housing (block 112). The quantity of fluid chemical within the container is expelled from at least one outlet port of the portable, battery-powered fluid pumping apparatus in a pressurized state (block 114). The pressurized state is created by any of: the integrated pressurization device alone; the liquid diaphragm pump alone; and a combination of the integrated pressurization device and the liquid diaphragm pump (block 116).
(31) The method may further include any of the steps, features, or functions disclosed or described relative to
(32) It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any preferred embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.