Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
ASPIRATION-TYPE SPRAYER
TECHNICAL FIELD
'the present invention relates generally to sprayers and more particularly to
aspiration-type sprayers for dispensing chemicals in a carrier fluid.
BACKGROUND ART
Aspiration-type sprayers are commonly used to dispense liguid-based
chemicals, such as washing detergents, fertilizers, or pesticides. The
chemical, which
is generally provided in a container in concentrated form, is diluted and
propelled by a
carrier t7uid. In a common arrangement, the carrier fluid is water, and the
sprayer is
coupled to a garden hose. Water iiam the hose enters the sprayer through an
inlet and
flows through an expansion or mixing chamber and out through an outlet. The
expansion chamber is configured so that the flow of water creates a pressure
drop
(venturi effect), which draws the chemical from the container into the
expansion
chamber, where it mixes with the stream of water. The amount of chemical drawn
into the stream of water varies with the amount of pressure drop generated
within the
expansion chamber and by the size of the passage into the expansion chamber
through
which the chemical is drawn.
One example of an aspiration-type sprayer is shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,213,265 (the '265 patent), issued to two of the inventors of the present
invention, for
a "Single Valve Aspiration Type Sprayer",
The sprayer shown in the '265 patent operatea by the above-described
principle, and
includes a rotatable valve that sits in, and selectively opens and closes,
both a carrier
fluid passageway and a chemical aspiration passageway. T'he aspiration
passageway
connects the contents of the container with an expansion chamber. The sprayer
of the
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'265 patent provides for two modes of operation--"on" (wherein the valve is
positioned to open the carrier fluid passageway and the chemical aspiration
passageway) and "off" (wherein the valve is positioned to close the carrier
fluid
passageway and the chemical aspiration passageway). This arrangement is quite
suitable for spraying chemicals. However, it would be beneficial to provide
for a
mode of operation in which the carrier fluid could be sprayed with no (or only
trace
amounts) of the chemical mixed therewith.
U.S. Patent No. 5,007,588, issued to Chow et al., for an "Aspiration-Type
Sprayer" shows another sprayer, which includes a nozzle that directs water to
flow
over an aspiration opening at the top of a passageway through which the
contents of a
connected container can be drawn. A bleed passage extends from the passageway
below the aspiration opening. Opening and closing the bleed passage, as by the
operator putting his finger thereover, permits the contents of the container
to be
selectively drawn through the passageway by the suction created by the flow of
water
over the aspiration opening. Although the sprayer disclosed in the Chow et al.
patent
can spray water without mixing the container contents therewith, a separate
mechanism is required to control the flow of water through the sprayer,
complicating
operation of the sprayer. Further, the user must continuously, manually hold
closed
the bleed hole in order to aspirate the container contents.
2 o U.S. Patent No. 3,191,869, issued to Gilinour, for a "Spraying Device
Having
Restricted Orifice and Expansion Chamber Construction" discloses another
sprayer,
which includes a valve mechanism for varying the amount of chemical drawn into
a
water stream. A passage is formed in an upper portion of the sprayer,
connecting a
mixing chamber with ambient environment. The passage is selectively restricted
by a
2 5 disk having a plurality of different-sized openings. The disk can be
rotated to allow
varying amounts of air to pass through the passage and into the mixing
chamber,
thereby varying the amount of chemical that is drawn into the water stream.
Although
the sprayer disclosed in the Gilmour patent permits a variable aspiration
rate, a
separate valve is required to control the flow of water through the sprayer,
thus
3 0 complicating the manufacture and operation of the sprayer.
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Another method of varying the aspiration rate is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
4,901,923, issued to McRoskey, et al. for "Variable Dilution Ratio Hose-End
Aspirator Sprayer." In the sprayer of this patent, a passage between the
container and
the mixing chamber is selectively restricted by a disk having a plurality of
different-
sized openings. The disk can be rotated to vary the size of the orifice
through which
the chemical must pass to reach the mixing chamber. As with the sprayer of the
Gilmour patent, however, a separate valve is required for controlling the flow
of water
thmugh the sprayer.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an aspiration-type sprayer in which a
single
control valve can control the flow of carrier fluid and aspiration of chemical
therein.
There is a further need in the art for an aspiration-type sprayer in which a
single control valve can control the flow of carrier fluid and the mixing of
varying
quantities of chemical into the carrier fluid.
There is yet another need in the art for an aspiration-type sprayer which
includes a mechanism for aspiration control without need for continuous,
manual user
action.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the foregoing needs in the art by providing an
2 0 aspiration type sprayer in which a bleed line, extending from a chemical
supply tube,
and a carrier channel can both be controlled by a single control valve.
According to one aspect of our invention an aspiration-type sprayer for use
with a liquid chemical includes a sprayer head and a control valve assembly.
The
sprayer head includes (i) a carrier channel having an inlet for receiving a
pressurized
2 5 carrier fluid, an outlet through which the carrier fluid exits, and an
expansion chamber
in between the inlet and outlet, (ii) a chemical supply channel in flow
communication
with the expansion chamber of the carrier channel through an aspiration
opening, so
that a flow of carrier fluid through the carrier channel produces an
aspiration flow
from the chemical supply channel into the expansion chamber through the
aspiration
3 0 opening, the chemical supply channel having a free end for submersion in
the liquid
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chemical, and (iii) a bleed line extending from the chemical supply channel
between
the aspiration opening and the liquid chemical, the bleed line connecting the
chemical
supply channel in flow communication to ambient air. The control valve
assembly is
seated in the sprayer head to simultaneously engage the carrier channel and
the bleed
line, the control valve assembly being movable relative to the sprayer head to
(i)
selectively open and close the carrier channel to selectively permit the
carrier fluid to
flow therethrough, and (ii) with the carrier channel open, selectively open
and close
the bleed line to selectively permit ambient air to be drawn into the chemical
supply
channel in response to the aspiration flow produced by the flow of carrier
fluid.
According to another aspect of our invention, the bleed line is dimensioned so
that, when pressurized carrier fluid is supplied to the inlet and the control
valve
assembly is positioned to open both the carrier channel and the bleed line,
sufficient
ambient air is drawn through the bleed line into the chemical supply channel
so that
no liquid chemical is drawn by the aspiration flow into the expansion chamber.
According to still another aspect of our invention, the bleed line is
dimensioned so that, when pressurized Garner fluid is supplied to the inlet
and the
control valve assembly is positioned to open both the carrier channel and the
bleed
line, ambient air is drawn through the bleed line into the chemical supply
channel at a
flow rate sufficient to partially counterbalance the aspiration flow, so that
liquid
2 0 chemical is drawn into the expansion chamber in smaller proportions than
when
carrier fluid is supplied to the inlet and the control valve is positioned to
open the
carrier channel and close the bleed line.
In yet another aspect of our invention, the liquid chemical comprises two
batches of liquid chemical, the chemical supply channel comprises (i) a first
chemical
2 5 passage in flow communication with the expansion chamber and having a free
end for
submersion in one of the batches of liquid chemical and (ii) a second chemical
passage in flow communication with the expansion chamber and having a free end
for
submersion in the other of the batches of liquid chemical, the bleed line
comprises a
first bleed passage and a second bleed passage, each of the bleed passages
connecting
3 0 a corresponding one of the chemical passages in flow communication with
ambient
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air, and the control valve assembly, with the carrier channel open,
selectively opens
and closes each of the bleed passages.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will
be more evident from the following description and drawings in which like
reference
numerals relate like elements throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an elevational cross section of an aspiration-type sprayer
according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2A is an elevational view of a control valve of the sprayer illustrated
in
l0 Figure 1.
Figure 2B is an elevational view of the control valve shown in Figure 2A,
rotated 90°.
Figure 2C is a cross section taken along the line C-C in Figure 2A.
Figure 2D is a cross section taken along the line D-D in Figure 2B.
Figure 3 is a schematic of a sprayer according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 4A is a schematic of a sprayer according to yet another embodiment of
the present invention.
Figure 4B is a perspective view of an insert of the sprayer illustrated in
Figure
2 0 4A.
Figure SA is an elevational cross section of a sprayer according to a further
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure SB is a perspective view of a control valve of the sprayer illustrated
in
Figure SA.
2 5 MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Figures 1 and 2A-2D show a preferred embodiment of an aspiration-type
sprayer 1 of the present invention, two major components of which are a
sprayer head
10 and a control valve 20. The sprayer head 10 is connectable to both a
chemical
source and a carrier fluid source. Usually, the chemical source will be a
container C
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-6-
with soap, fertilizer, pesticides, or the like contained therein, and the
carrier fluid
source will be a water hose. For purposes of illustration, this embodiment of
the
aspiration-type sprayer 1 will often be described for use in a washing
application in
which the carrier fluid is water and the chemical is liquid detergent or
surfactant.
However, the sprayer could easily be adapted for use with other carrier fluids
and
chemicals.
In general, the sprayer head 10 includes a carrier inlet 12 and outlet 14.
Between the inlet 12 and outlet 14 is a carrier channel 30 which includes an
expansion chamber 32. A chemical supply channel 50 depends from the expansion
chamber 32, and has a free end for submersion in the chemical. A bleed line 60
extends from the chemical supply channel 50. A bore 80 intersects both the
carrier
channel 30 and the bleed line b0. The control valve 20 sits in the bore 80 of
the
sprayer head 10. The valve 20 is moveable to selectively open and close the
carrier
channel 30 and the bleed line 60. A vent 70 exposes the mouth of the container
C to
the outside of the sprayer head 10.
The sprayer head 10 is preferably formed of a polypropylene copolymer. This
material is chosen because, compared to other plastics such as polypropylene
homopolymer, polypropylene copolymer is soft and pliable, facilitating
assembly of
the sprayer. However, almost any plastic, such as polyethylene, acetal, or the
like,
2 0 would be suitable for these purposes.
The catrie= channel 30 includes an input chamber 31 at the inlet 12. A
conventional threaded hose nut 19, with the accompanying hardware, is snap fit
onto
the end of the sprayer head 10 for coupling with a water hose H. The input
chamber
is tapered downstream and feeds into an upstream carrier passage 34. The
upstream
carrier passage 34 empties into the upstream side of the bore 80, which is
generally
cylindrical in shape. In the valve bore 80, approximately opposite the
upstream
carrier passage 34, is an inlet 3b to a downstream carrier passage 38. The
downstream
carrier passage 38 in turn empties into the expansion chamber 32. At the
downstream
end of the expansion chamber 32 is the outlet 14 to the sprayer head 10. Press
fit
3 0 through the outlet into the expansion chamber 32 is conventional sprayer
metering jet
hardware. Many commercially available metering jets can be used, and those
skilled
SUBSTlTUTI; SHEET (RULE 26)
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in the art will recognize that the hardware selected will aid in controlling
the spray
pattern and aspiration rate of the sprayer 1.
In the illustrated embodiment, by way of example, the metering jet hardware
includes a metering jet insert 40 and a metering jet cartridge 42. The insert
40 and
cartridge 42 are separately molded and fit together to facilitate production.
The insert
and cartridge are dimensioned to fit snugly within the expansion chamber 32,
with the
insert 40 upstream of the cartridge 42. The downstream carrier passage 38
empties
into the metering j et insert 40, which has a cylindrical bore 44 therethrough
with a
flared upstream end, and an approximately 2.6mm diameter. The downstream end
of
the generally cylindrical outer surface of the insert 40 is tapered and
rounded. The
metering jet cartridge 42 has a mouth dimensioned to receive the downstream
end of
the jet insert 40. The insert 40 empties into a cylindrical chamber 46 in the
upstream
end of the cartridge 42. This chamber 46 has a diameter of approximately
5.6mm.
The chamber 46 steps down in diameter and then tapers at its downstream end
into a
cylindrical passage 48 having a diameter of approximately 3.Omm. Slightly
before
the downward step in diameter in the chamber 46, an aspiration opening 49,
approximately 0.5mm in diameter, extends down through the wall of the metering
jet
cartridge 42. The aspiration opening 49 is formed through the base of a
depression in
the outer surface of the cartridge 42.
2 0 As mentioned, the chemical supply channel 50 depends from the expansion
chamber 32. At the upper end of the chemical supply channel 50 is a neck 54,
at the
top of which is an opening 56 into the expansion chamber 32. This opening 56
is
considerably larger than and mates with the aspiration opening 49 in the
metering jet.
At the lower end of the channel 50 is a dip tube 52 for submersion in the
chemical. In
2 5 this embodiment, the neck 54 is integrally molded with the sprayer head
10, and the
dip tube 52 is separately formed and press fit into the neck 54.
A conventional, threaded container nut 18, snap fit onto a skirt 16 which
depends from the head, permits attachment to the chemical container. A vent 70
through the skirt 16 permits ambient air into the container, avoiding the
creation of a
3 0 . vacuum in the chamber, which would undermine the aspiration process.
This vent 70
could alternately be provided as an integral feature of the container.
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The bleed line 60, which will be discussed in more detail below, extends
between the chemical supply channel 50 and the bore 80. An inlet 62 to the
bleed line
60 is aligned longitudinally on the wall of the bore 80 with the inlet 36 to
the
downstream carrier passage 38.
The control valve 20 of the illustrated embodiment is also preferably formed
of a polypropylene copolymer, but could be formed of any of the alternate
materials
discussed above in connection with the sprayer head 10. The control valve 20
has a
generally cylindrical overall shape and is longitudinally segregated by a pair
of
O-rings 23a, 23b, which are seated in circumferential grooves on the outer
surface of
1 o the control valve 20. The O-rings are preferably formed of rubber or the
like to
provide a tight seal against the inside of the bore 80. During assembly, the
valve 20 is
inserted longitudinally into the bore 80 from the top until a top flange 21
contacts a
peripheral seat 81 at the top of the bore 80. The valve 20 is held in the
proper
longitudinal position in the bore 80 by a pawl 22, which snap fits into
another
peripheral seat 82 at the bottom of the bore 80. Once seated, the control
valve 20 can
rotate freely on its longitudinal axis within a range of motion determined by
the
circumferential length of a groove 83 at the base of the top peripheral seat
81. A
projection 25 on the underside of the top flange 21 sits in the groove 83 and
prevents
the valve 20 from rotating beyond its bounds. Of course, the valve 20 can be
2 o configured to move differently. For example, the valve 20 can be
configured to rotate
on an axis more or less parallel to the flow of carrier fluid, as opposed to
rotating
generally perpendicular, or to slide longitudinally rather than rotate within
the bore
80. Any of a number of conventional valve motion limiters can be used as well.
Two primary operational sections of the valve 20 are the carrier control
2 5 section 26, between the O-rings 23a, 23b, and the bleed control section
28, below the
lower O-ring 23b. The carrier control section 26 is sealed between the O-rings
23a,
23b. A carrier duct 27 passes completely through the carrier control section
26. To
one side of the carrier duct 27 is a stopper pad 29a. The stopper pad 29a sits
in a
depression and, when the control valve 20 is in the bore 80, fits tightly
against the
3 0 . inside of the bore 80. The stopper pad is preferably formed of a
suitable silicon,
rubber or plastic which will deform slightly when compressed in the bore to
provide a
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tight seal. Thermoplastic elastomers ("TPE's"), such as KratonTM TPE,
available
from Shell Oil Company of Houston, Texas, have proven to be suitable. The
stopper
pad should have an arcuate outer surface to facilitate a tight fit with the
inside of the
bore. A boss 24a at the bottom of the depression mates with a receiving hole
on the
underside of the stopper pad 29a, preventing the stopper pad 29a from sliding
circumferentially with respect to the control valve 20.
In operation, the control valve 20 is rotated to selectively position either
the
carrier duct 27 or the stopper pad 29a in the path of the carrier channel 30.
When the
control valve 20 is positioned so that the Garner duct 27 of the carrier
control section
26 is aligned with the upstream and downstream Garner passages 34, 38 of the
sprayer
head 10, carrier fluid can flow freely through the carrier channel 30. When
the
control valve 20 is positioned so that the stopper pad 29a of the carrier
control section
26 is aligned with the inlet 36 to the downstream carrier passage 38, the flow
of
Garner fluid is blocked.
The bleed control section 28 of the control valve 20 includes a pair of
stopper
pads 29b, 29c, which, like the stopper pad 29a of the carrier control section
26, are
situated in depressions on the surface of the control valve. These stopper
pads 29b,
29c also fit tightly against the inside of the bore 80 when the control valve
20 is in the
bore. As with the carrier control section stopper pad 29a, a boss 24b, 24c,
2 0 respectively, at the bottom of each depression mates with a receiving hole
on the
underside of each stopper pad 29b, 29c to prevent circumferential slippage.
The
stopper pads 29b, 29c of the bleed control section 28 are circumferentially
spaced,
with a gap 64 separating them. When the control valve 20 is positioned so that
this
gap 64 between the stopper pads 29b, 29c is aligned with the inlet 62 to the
bleed line
2 5 60, the chemical supply channel 50 is in communication with the ambient
air through
the bleed line 60. The effect of this will be discussed below. On the other
hand, when
either of the stopper pads 29b, 29c of the bleed control section 28 is aligned
with the
inlet 62 to the bleed line 60, the bleed line 60 will be closed. Thus, any
aspiration
flow through the aspiration opening, caused by the venturi effect of the flow
of carrier
3 o fluid in the expansion chamber 32, will in turn draw the chemical through
the
chemical supply channel 50 into the expansion chamber 32.
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In the illustrated embodiment, the control valve 20 has an approximately
90°
range of rotation, representing three operational settings. The stopper pad
29a of the
carrier control section 26 and one of the stopper pads 29b of the bleed
control section
28 are aligned longitudinally on the control valve 20, so as to be
simultaneously
engageable (in the first operational setting) with the inlets 36, 62 to the
downstream
carrier passage 38 and the bleed line 60, respectively. The mouth of the
carrier duct
27 is elongated so that both the other stopper pad 29c and the gap 64 between
the
stopper pads 29b, 29c of the bleed control section 28 are longitudinally in
line with
part of the mouth of carrier duct 27. Thus, either the other stopper pad 29c
or the gap
1 o 64 can be aligned with the bleed line 60 when the carrier duct 27 is
aligned with the
carrier channel 30. In the second operational setting, the carrier duct 27 is
aligned
with the carrier channel 30, and the gap 64 is aligned with bleed line inlet
62. In the
third setting, the carrier duct remains aligned with the carrier channel, but
the other
stopper pad 29c of the bleed control section is aligned with the bleed line
inlet 62.
Therefore, the three operational settings are: (i) carrier channel 30 and
bleed line 60
closed, (ii) carrier channel 30 and bleed line 60 open, and (iii) carrier
channel 30 open
and bleed line 60 closed.
The bleed line 60 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is tubular and
approximately 2.6mm in diameter. This is more than sufficiently large to
permit
2 0 enough air to flow therethrough to counteract the aspiration flow through
the
aspiration opening 49, when the bleed line 60 is open. That is, rather than
drawing
the chemical from the container thmugh the dip tube 52, the aspiration flow
caused by
the pressure drop in the expansion chamber 32 will simply cause ambient air to
flow
into the neck 54 of the chemical supply channel 50 through the bleed line 60.
2 5 Because sufficient air can pass through the bleed line 60, the pressure at
the top of the
chemical supply channel 50 will remain essentially equal to the pressure on
the top of
the chemical in the container, and no chemical will flow through the chemical
supply
channel _50. Thus, when the bleed line 60 is open, any water that enters the
sprayer
head 10 at the inlet 12 will exit the sprayer head 10 at the outlet 14 without
drawing
3 o any chemical with it.
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By reducing the size of the bleed line 60, it is possible to vary the above-
noted
affect. When the size of the bleed line 60 is reduced sufficiently, the flow
of ambient
air into the chemical supply channel 50 through the bleed line 60 can only
partially
compensate for the aspiration flow through the aspiration opening 49 due to
the
carrier flow through the expansion chamber 32. In response to the
"uncompensated"
aspiration flow, chemical will be drawn through the dip tube 52. In the
embodiment
illustrated in Figure 3, the diameter of the bleed line 60 is reduced to
approximately
0.5-l.Omm at an integrally-molded constriction 66. With this configuration,
with the
bleed line 60 open, chemical will be drawn through the dip tube 52 at a rate
comparable to the flow of air through the bleed line 60.
The illustrated constriction 66 is achieved by integrally molding a taper
proximate the chemical supply channel 50, which narrows as the bleed line 60
approaches chemical supply channel 50. This is done to facilitate molding.
However,
the constriction can be located anywhere along the bleed line 60, and can be
form
by tapering the bleed line 60 in the opposite direction or by any other shape.
In fact,
the bleed line 60 can have a uniform, small cross section.
In any event, by slightly varying the size of the constricted bleed line 60,
the
air/chemical ratio flowing through the neck 54 of the chemical supply channel
50 into
the expansion chamber 32 can be controlled in a manner generally independent
of the
2 0 magnitude of the venturi effect caused by the carrier flow. Thus, the
sprayer can be
configured so that a select, reduced amount of the chemical is drawn into the
expansion chamber 32 for nixing with the carrier when the bleed line 60 is
open. For
example, the expansion chamber 32, including the metering jet, of a hose end
sprayer
of an embodiment of the present invention can be selected to achieve a desired
ratio of
water to soap on the order of about 40:1 to about 80:1, when the bleed line 60
is
closed. A constricted bleed line 60 can be used to create a "pre-wash" or
"rinse"
mode in which trace amounts of soap (for example, on the order of 1 part soap
to
approximately 300-600 parts water) are drawn into the flow of water, when the
bleed
line 60 is open.
3 o The variations in the soap/air mixture (when the constricted bleed line 60
is
open) will compound the variations in soap concentration that occur when the
bleed
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line 60 is closed. For example, suppose a sprayer according to the present
invention
sprays a mixture with a chemical/carrier ratio of 50:1, with a variation of t
5:1, when
the bleed line 60 is closed. If the bleed line 60 is constricted so that the
sprayer sprays
a mixture with a chemical/carrier ratio of 500:1 when the bleed line 60 is
open, the
variation in the latter mixture can be expected to be much greater than f 5:1,
probably
closer to t 20:1. This is because not only is the aspiration rate variable,
but so is the
chemical/air mixture, which in turn will be aspirated into the expansion
chamber 32.
In another embodiment, a separately molded insert 58 can be provided to
create the desired reduction in size of the bleed line 60, as shown in Figures
4A and
4B. This separately molded insert fits into the neck 54 of the chemical supply
channel
50. The insert S8 is hollow, with an open top and bottom, and is shaped to
closely
match the inside of the neck 54 of the chemical supply channel 50. A tapered
hole 59
mates with the opening of the bleed line 60 to effectively constrict the
opening of the
bleed line 60. The insert 58 can be formed of polypropylene, acetal,
polyethylene or
any other suitable material. Once the insert 58 is fabricated, it can simply
be press fit
into the neck 54 of the chemical supply channel 50. The use of a separate
insert 58
facilitates production, as compared to producing an integrally-molded bleed
line 60 of
such small dimensions. Using an insert, rather than attempting to produce a
bleed line
60 of sufficiently small size, also allows more precise manufacturing,
resulting in
2 0 better control of mixing rates. Inserts can be produced with varying sizes
of hole 59,
increasing the flexibility to produce varying chemical/water ratios with the
same
design of sprayer head 10.
A similar effect can be achieved by reducing the size of the gap 64 between
the stopper pads 29b, 29c in the bleed control section 28 of the valve 20. If
the pads
2 5 29b, 29c are placed closely together, they will partially obstruct the
inlet 62 to the
bleed line 60 when the gap 64 between the pads 29b, 29c is aligned with the
inlet 62.
In a similar manner, the bleed control section 28 of the valve 20 could be
provided with three stopper pads, rather than two, circumferentially arranged
so that
two differently sized gaps between these pads are aligned with the carrier
duct 27. A
3 0 large gap, such as that shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2A
and 2B, can
be provided between two of the stopper pads. When this large gap is aligned
with the
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inlet to the bleed line 60, sufficient air can flow through the bleed line 60
so that no
chemical is drawn through the chemical supply channel 50. The other gap can be
smaller so that, when aligned with the inlet to the bleed line 60, it would
still partially
close the bleed line 60, resulting in trace amounts of chemical being drawn
into the
carrier flow in the manner discussed above.
In yet another efnbodiment, shown in Figures SA and SB, the sprayer head 10
can be provided with a pair of chemical supply channels 150x, 1 SOb depending
from
the expansion chamber 32 for submersion into separate chemical containing
chambers. One of the chemical supply channels 1506 is not visible in this view
because it is hidden behind the other. Two bleed lines 160x, 1606 can be
provided,
one Leading from each of the chemical supply channels 150x, 1506 to the bore
80 in
which the control valve 20 sits. The control valve 20 can be arranged to
selectively
close either bleed line 160a or 1606 while opening the carrier channel 30, in
which
case chemical is drawn into the carrier flow from the corresponding one of the
separate container chambers.
In the illustrated arrangement, the bleed lines 160x, 1606 are shaped so that
the
inlets to the bleed lines are aligned and spaced longitudinally in the bore
80. The
carrier control section 26 of the control valve 20 is essentially similar to
that in the
embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2A-2D. The bleed contml section 128 of
the
. contml valve 20, however, is longitudinally bifurcated into'separate levels
128a, 1286
for engagement with these separate bleed lines 160x, 1606. Each of these
levels 128x,
1286 has two stopper pads 129a1, 129x2 and 12961, 12962, respctively. These
stopper pads, like the stopper pad 29a of the carrier control section 26, are
situated in
depressions on the surface of the control valve 20 and fit tightly against the
inside of
the bore 80 when the control valve 20 is in the bore 80. Again, a boss at the
bottom of
each depression mates with a receiving hole on the underside of each stopper
pad to
prevent circumferential slippage. The stopper pads of each level 128x, 1286 of
the
bleed control section 128 are circumferentialLy spaced, with a gap 164a, 1646,
respectively, separating them. When the control valve 20 is positioned so that
one of
3 0 these gaps 164a or 1646 between the stopper pads is aligned with the inlet
to its
corresponding bleed line 160a or 1606, the corresponding chenucal supply
channel
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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WO 99/39835 _ 14 _ PCTIUS98I01576
150a or 150b is in communication with the ambient air through the bleed line.
On the
other hand, when either of the stopper pads of a level 128a or 128b of the
bleed
control section 128 is aligned with the inlet to its corresponding bleed line
160a or
160b, that bleed line will be closed.
In this embodiment, like the first, the control valve 20 has an approximately
90° range of rotation. However, the additional bleed line and bleed
control section
level permit at least one additional operational mode. Thus, the sprayer 10 of
this
embodiment has four operational settings. The stopper pad 29a of the Garner
control
section 26 and one of the stopper pads 129x1, 129b1, respectively, of each
level 128x,
1 o I28b of the bleed control section 128 are aligned longitudinally on the
control valve
20, so as to be simultaneously engageable (in the first operational setting)
with the
inlets to the downstream carrier passage 38 and the bleed lines 160x, 160b,
respectively.
The mouth of the carrier duct 27 is elongated so that the other stopper pads
129x2, 129b2, and the gaps 164x, 164b between the stopper pads of each level,
respectively, of the bleed control section 128 are all longitudinally in line
with part of
the mouth of the carrier duct 27. Thus, on each level of the bleed control
section I28,
either the other stopper pad 129x2 or 129b2, or the gap 164a or 164b,
respectively,
can be aligned with the corresponding bleed line 60 when the carrier duct 27
is
2 0 aligned with the carrier channel 30. The other stopper pads 129x2, 129b2
of the
respective levels of the bleed control section 28, however, are not
longitudinally
aligned with one another. Thus, when the carrier duct 27 is aligned, with the
carrier
channel 30, representing the second through fourth operational settings,
either or
neither, but not both, of the other stopper pads 129x2, 129b2 can be aligned
with the
2 5 inlet of its respective bleed line 160x, 160b. In the second operational
setting, each of
the gaps 164x, 164b is aligned with the inlets to its respective bleed line
160x, 160b.
In the third setting, the other stopper pad 129x2 of the upper level 128a is
aligned with
its bleed line 160x, while the gap 164b of the lower level is still aligned
with its bleed
line 160b. In the four~thh, the other stopper pad 129x2 of the upper level
128a is no
3 0 longer aligned with its bleed line 160x, but the other stopper pad 129b2
of the lower
level 128b is aligned with its bleed line 160b. Therefore, the four
operational settings
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WO 99/39835 _ 15 _ PCT/US98/01576
are: (i) carrier channel 30 and both bleed lines 160a, 160b closed, (ii)
carrier channel
30 open and both bleed lines 160a, 160b, open, (iii) carrier channel 30 and
bottom
bleed line 160b open, top bleed line 160a closed, and (iv) carrier channel 30
and top
bleed line 160a open, bottom bleed line 160b closed.
As with the earlier embodiments, the valve 20 can be conf gored to move
differently. For example, the valve 20 can be configured to rotate on a
different axis,
or to slide longitudinally rather than rotate, as will be appreciated by those
skilled in
the art.
The separate container chambers can be provided with different chemicals or
different concentrations of the same chemical. For example, one chamber can be
provided with a cleaning agent in a concentration that is suitable for spray
washing.
The other chamber can be provided with a rinsing agent in a concentration
suitable for
pre-washing and/or rinsing. The four operational settings would then
correspond to
"off," "water only," "cleaning agent and water mixed," and "rinsing agent and
water
mixed," respectively.
While the present invention has been described with respect to what is at
present considered to be the preferred embodiments, it should be understood
that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the
invention
is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements, some
of
2 0 which are discussed above, included within the spirit and scope of the
appended
claims. Therefore, the scope of the following claims is intended to be
accorded the
broadest reasonable interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and
equivalent structures and functions.
2 5 INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
A sprayer of the present invention is particulary applicable to hose-end
sprayers. The sprayer can be used in conjunction with fertilizers, pesticides,
and the
like, but is best suited for use with soaps. The carrier fluid, in most cases
tap water,
can be used, with no soap or only trace amounts thereof, to soak and/or rinse
the
3 0 object to be washed. By simply turning the control valve, the sprayer can
be turned
off or set to spray water or a mixture of soap and water.
