SPRAY MIST ASSIST SYSTEM FOR A LIQUID PUMP SPRAYER

Abstract

A spray mist assist assembly for a liquid sprayer utilizes an auxiliary blower positioned below the sprayer's nozzle. The positioning of the blower in vertical alignment with but in vertically spaced relation below the nozzle permits the mist expelled from the nozzle to extend farther from the sprayer to enhance the performance of the sprayer.

Claims

1. A sprayer for spraying a liquid, comprising: a. a nozzle through which the liquid can be expelled in a first direction away from the sprayer; b. a fan positioned in vertical alignment with and axially below the nozzle and for generating an air flow in a second direction that is parallel to the first direction; and c. a fan outlet positioned in the path of the air flow and from which the air is expelled away from the sprayer.

2. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the fan outlet is selectively pivotal about the second direction to selectively adjust the direction of the expelled air flow towards or away from the first direction.

3. The sprayer for spraying a liquid, comprising: a. a sprayer housing; b. a nozzle connected to the sprayer housing and through which the liquid can be expelled in a first direction away from the sprayer; c. a fan positioned within the sprayer housing and including a fan outlet that extends outside the sprayer housing and is positioned in axially spaced relation below the nozzle; and d. wherein the fan is mounted within the sprayer housing for selective pivotal movement that causes movement of the fan outlet towards or away from the nozzle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrating two prior art cordless home lawn and garden sprayers.

[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrating relative functional impact of pump pressure on the effective spray mist application distance in a prior art sprayer.

[0023] FIG. 3 is illustrating a prior art sprayer having an axial air fan blower.

[0024] FIG. 4 is illustrating the intended spray mist distance of the prior art sprayer of FIG. 3.

[0025] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate alternative configuration of a prior art liquid pump sprayer.

[0026] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate how the horizontally-directed airstream flow path is employed to intersect with and shear the vertically-oriented liquid spray, then propel the resulting liquid spray mist outward in the direction of the airstream in the prior art sprayer of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates the mist fallout for the prior art sprayer of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0028] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate exemplar sprayer configurations and example relative intended effective mist distances for the prior art sprayers of FIG.1 and FIG. 3 and FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sprayer having a sprayer mist assist system, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sprayer, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sprayer showing the pressurized liquid flow path from pump to outlet nozzle and resulting spray mist pattern, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sprayer showing the parallel orientation and offset spacing of the blower air outlet nozzle with respect to the spray mist nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sprayer showing a 5-degree offset orientation of the blower air outlet nozzle with respect to the spray mist nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0034] FIGS. 14A-14C are each a side elevation view of the sprayer collectively showing the utility of the spray mist assist system, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present disclosure describes a spray mist assist sprayer/system 10 comprising an auxiliary radial air fan 12 with a uniquely positioned, oriented, and shaped blower air outlet nozzle 14. This mist assist system, in combination with the high pressure liquid pump, reduces the ineffective spray mist fallout and thusly improves spraying efficiency, especially when misting for mosquito control. Sprayer 10 includes the conventional elements such as a fluid reservoir 100 (from which liquid to be sprayed is drawn), a user handle 200, and power supplies, such as a battery 300 to provide the necessary power to drive sprayer 10, a switch 400 to control the level of liquid flow, and an on/off switch 500.

[0036] The basic layout of this spray mist assist system/sprayer 10 is illustrated in FIG. 9. Note that this sprayer 10 comprises the same basic componentry of the previously-described conventional liquid pump sprayer with auxiliary fan air blower 12.

[0037] Here, unlike the typical blower air outlet nozzle of Sprayer 3 that is positioned centrally around and in line with the liquid outlet spray nozzle, or the blower air outlet nozzle of Sprayer 4 that is positioned above the vertically-oriented liquid outlet spray nozzle, the blower air outlet nozzle 14 is uniquely shaped and beneficially oriented and positioned at an offset below the liquid outlet spray nozzle 16.

[0038] FIG. 10 illustrates the components that comprise the mist assist system: fan air blower 12, air outlet nozzle 14 and liquid spray mist nozzle 16. Note the elongated width shape of the air outlet nozzle 14.

[0039] FIG. 11 shows the pressurized liquid flow path from pump 18 (powered by motor 20) to outlet nozzle 16 and resulting spray mist pattern, and the beneficial airstream flow path produced by the air blower 12.

[0040] FIG. 12 discloses the preferred parallel orientation and vertically offset spacing of the blower air outlet nozzle 14 with respect to the spray mist nozzle 16. Other angular orientations of the air outlet nozzle are possible.

[0041] FIG. 13 shows an alternate 5-degree offset orientation of the blower air outlet nozzle 14 with respect to the spray mist nozzle 16. Other angular orientations of the air outlet nozzle are possible. The blower 12 can be selectively pivotal to adjust the direction of the air flow towards or away from the direction the spray mist nozzle emits liquid.

[0042] FIGS. 14A-C illustrate the utility and effectiveness of the spray mist assist system.

[0043] FIG. 14A shows the disclosed mist sprayer in operation, but with the mist assist system air blower disabled. As would be typical of any misting sprayer without benefit of the spray mist assist system (as previously described, and summarized in FIG. 8), a characteristic mist fallout pattern and concomitant ineffective mist is produced.

[0044] FIG. 14B shows the disclosed mist sprayer, now fully operating with the mist assist system air blower enabled. The air outlet nozzle, beneficially oriented and positioned at an offset location below the liquid spray mist nozzle, uniquely forms and directs an airstream flow path that reshapes the mist fallout pattern. As indicated, a now-displaced mist fallout pattern (note K) is established, such that the ineffective mist is displaced away from the sprayer and closer to the intended effective mist distance. In this way the overall mist spraying efficiency is increased as, for example when applying insecticide for mosquito control, less mist is lost due to fallout before the intended effective mist distance is reached.

[0045] FIG. 14C further illustrates this improved efficiency of the disclosed spray mist assist system. Shown here schematically is the volume of displaced mist that would otherwise fall to the ground before reaching the intended effective mean distance.

[0046] While mist fallout cannot be completely eliminated, the efficiency and effectiveness of misting applications is markedly improved by the application of this unique spray mist assist system to a liquid pump sprayer.

[0047] While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.