Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING FLUIDS
[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing and
dispensing materials and. more specifically, to combining a plurality of
materials for
substantially simultaneous dispensing from a nozzle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of
generally
presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named
inventors, to the
extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the
description
that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither
expressly nor
impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
[0004] People working in a variety of fields risk encountering hazardous or
contaminated materials that require cleaning or decontamination. Examples
include
first responders to natural or man-made disasters, bio-hazard clean-up crews,
law
enforcement officers, military personnel, fire fighters, and others. For those
working in
these fields. tools for dealing with hazards should be easy to use and
reliable so that
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workers can do their jobs without undue complications or inefficiency. A tool
is needed
for quickly addressing the cleaning or decontamination of hazardous materials
that is
intuitive to use and reliable even in the most chaotic conditions.
SUMMARY
[0005] Features and advantages described in this summary and the following
detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and
advantages will
be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings,
specification, and
claims hereof. Additionally, other embodiments may omit one or more (or all)
of the
features and advantages described in this summary.
[0006] The disclosed device may be used to combine and dispense a plurality
of
materials in a precise mixture throughout a spray cycle. In some embodiments,
the
disclosed device may include three separate materials that may be combined on
demand to provide a spray pattern with a desired mixture upon dispensing from
the
devise. The resulting spray may be used for various applications, such as
hazardous
material decontamination or more general cleaning purposes.
[0007] In an embodiment, the disclosure describes a mixing and dispensing
device comprising an outer casing including a body portion, a handle portion,
and a
nozzle portion, wherein the handle portion is connected to a top portion of
the body
portion and the nozzle portion includes a nozzle. The device includes a mixing
manifold disposed in the top portion of the body portion. The mixing manifold
may
include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle. The device
may
include a plurality of canisters disposed within the body portion. Each of the
plurality of
canisters may include a valve connected to the mixing manifold. The valve may
be
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movable between a valve passive position, in which the valve prevents fluid
communication between an interior of the canister and the mixing chamber, and
a
valve dispensing position, in which the valve provides fluid communication
between the
interior of the canister and the mixing chamber. The device may include a
trigger
including a trigger input and a trigger output. The trigger may be at least
partially
disposed within the handle portion, and the trigger may be configured to move
from a
trigger passive position to a trigger dispensing position causing the valve
each canister
to move from the valve passive position to the valve dispensing position. The
device
may include a pull safety with a central cover and a tail tip. The pull safety
may be
removably disposed on the outer casing such that the central cover occludes
the
nozzle and the tail tip prevents movement of the trigger from the trigger
passive
position to the trigger dispensing position.
[0008] In another embodiment, the disclosure describes a mixing and
dispensing
device comprising an outer casing including a body portion, a handle portion,
and a
nozzle portion, wherein the handle portion is connected to a top portion of
the body
portion and the nozzle portion includes a nozzle. The device may include a
trigger
including a trigger input and a trigger output. The trigger may be at least
partially
disposed within the handle portion, and the trigger may be configured to move
between
a trigger passive position and a trigger dispensing position. The device may
include a
cam component disposed in the top portion of the body portion. The cam
component
may be configured to be engaged by the trigger output to move the cam
component
along a first axis from a cam component passive position to a cam component
dispensing position when the trigger moves from the trigger passive position
to the
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trigger dispensing position. The device may include a mixing manifold disposed
in the
top portion of the body portion, the mixing manifold including a mixing
chamber in fluid
communication with the nozzle. The mixing manifold may be in communication
with
the cam component such that movement of the cam component along the first axis
from the cam component passive position to the cam component dispensing
position
causes movement of the mixing manifold along a second axis from a manifold
passive
position to a manifold dispensing position. The device may include at least
one
canister disposed within the body portion. Each of the at least one canister
may
include a valve connected to the mixing manifold. The valve may be movable
between
a valve passive position, in which the valve prevents fluid communication
between an
interior of the respective canister and the mixing chamber, and a valve
dispensing
position, in which the valve provides fluid communication between the interior
of the
respective canister and the mixing chamber. Movement of the trigger from the
trigger
passive position to the trigger dispensing position may result in fluid
communication
between the interior of the at least one canister, the mixing chamber, and the
nozzle.
[0009] In another embodiment, the disclosure describes a mixing and
dispensing
device comprising an outer casing including a body portion, a handle portion,
and a
nozzle portion, wherein the handle portion is connected to a top portion of
the body
portion and the nozzle portion includes a nozzle. The device may include a
trigger
including a trigger input and a trigger output. The trigger may be at least
partially
disposed within the handle portion, and the trigger may be configured to move
between
a trigger passive position and a trigger dispensing position. The device may
include a
cam component disposed in the top portion of the body portion. The cam
component
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may be configured to be engaged by the trigger output to move the cam
component
along a first axis from a cam component passive position to a cam component
dispensing position when the trigger moves from the trigger passive position
to the
trigger dispensing position. The device may include a mixing manifold disposed
in the
top portion of the body portion. The mixing manifold may include a mixing
chamber in
fluid communication with the nozzle. The mixing manifold may be in
communication
with the cam component such that movement of the cam component along the first
axis from the cam component passive position to the cam component dispensing
position causes movement of the mixing manifold along a second axis from a
manifold
passive position to a manifold dispensing position. The device may include a
plurality
of canisters disposed within the body portion. Each of the plurality of
canisters may
include a valve connected to the mixing manifold. The valve may be movable
between
a valve passive position, in which the valve prevents fluid communication
between an
interior of the respective canister and the mixing chamber, and a valve
dispensing
position, in which the valve provides fluid communication between the interior
of the
respective canister and the mixing chamber. The device may include a pull
safety
including a central cover and a tail tip. The pull safety may be removably
disposed on
the outer casing such that the central cover occludes the nozzle and the tail
tip
prevents movement of the trigger from the trigger passive position to the
trigger
dispensing position. The removal of the pull safety from the outer casing may
allow
movement of the trigger from the trigger passive position to the trigger
dispensing
position, which results simultaneous fluid communication between the interior
of each
of the plurality of canisters, the mixing chamber, and the nozzle.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described in
reference
to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to
like parts
through all the various figures unless otherwise specified.
[0011] For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a reference
will be
made to the following detailed description, which is to be read in association
with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a
decontamination
device, as shown and described herein.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the decontamination device
of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a right side view of the decontamination device of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a left side view decontamination device of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the decontamination device of
FIG. 1
with a pull safety removed.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a left side view of the decontamination device of FIG.
1 with
a pull safety removed.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of a nozzle portion of the
decontamination
device of FIG. 1 with the pull safety removed and a spray selector switch in a
first
position.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a nozzle portion of the
decontamination
device of FIG. 1 with the pull safety removed and a spray selector switch in a
second
position.
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[0020] FIG. 9 shows a left side view of the decontamination device of FIG.
1 with
a portion of an outer casing removed to show inner components of the device.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the decontamination device of
FIG. 1
with a portion of an outer casing removed to show inner components of the
device.
[0022] FIG. 11 shows an enlarged perspective view of the decontamination
device of FIG. 1 with a portion of an outer casing removed to show inner
components
of the device.
[0023] FIG. 12 shows another enlarged perspective view of the
decontamination
device of FIG. 1 with a portion of an outer casing removed to show inner
components
of the device.
[0024] FIG. 13 shows an enlarged left side view of the decontamination
device of
FIG. 1 with a portion of an outer casing removed to show inner components of
the
device.
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a partial sectional view of the decontamination device
of
FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 15 shows an enlarged partial sectional view of the
decontamination
device of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 16 shows another partial sectional view of the decontamination
device of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 17 shows another partial sectional view of the decontamination
device of FIG. 1.
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[0029] FIG. 18 shows another left side view of the decontamination device
of
FIG. 1 in a dispensing position with a portion of an outer casing removed to
show inner
components of the device.
[0030] FIG. 19 shows a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a
decontamination device showing an alternative embodiment of the pull safety.
[0031] FIG. 20 shows a partial side view of a tail tip of the alternative
embodiment
of the pull safety shown in FIG. 19.
[0032] One skilled in the art may readily recognize from the following
discussion
that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein
may be
employed without departing from the principles described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter
with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which
show,
by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention
may be
practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms
and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and
complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Among other
things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices.
Accordingly,
the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an
entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware
aspects. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in
a limiting
sense.
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[0034] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take
the
meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise.
The phrase "in one embodiment" as used herein does not necessarily refer to
the same
embodiment, although it may. Furthermore, the phrase "in another embodiment"
as
used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it
may.
Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily
combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
[0035] In addition, as used herein, the term "or" is an inclusive "or"
operator, and
is equivalent to the term "and/or," unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. The
term "based on" is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional
factors not
described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition,
throughout the
specification, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" include plural references.
The
meaning of "in" includes "in" and includes plural references. The meaning of
"in"
includes "in" and "on."
[0036] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for mixing and
dispensing fluids. More specifically, the present disclosure relates methods
and
systems for quick-response decontamination, but is not limited to such uses.
In some
embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may provide precise mixing of
two
or more materials (e.g. fluid components), selectable spray types to dispense
the
mixed fluid materials (e.g. stream, course wet spray), and ergonomic shape and
trigger
position to aide in activating mixing and dispensing.
[0037] In some embodiments, the disclosed device may be used to dispense
quick-response decontamination spray. In such embodiments, a user may pull or
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otherwise activate a trigger, which may cause the device to mix two or more
materials
at specific mass flow rates to provide a desired mixing and composition
formulation.
The mixed composition is then sprayed or otherwise dispensed through a nozzle
with
multiple spray options. In some embodiments, the disclosed device may be one-
time
use and disposable, while in other embodiments the device may be reconditioned
or
field replaceable.
[0038] Referring now to the figures, Figs. 1-6 illustrate an embodiment of
a
decontamination device 100. Referring first to Figs. 1-4, the decontamination
device
100 may include an outer casing 102 that forms a handle portion 104, a body
portion
108, and a nozzle portion 110. The body portion 108 may include a bottom
portion
107, a top portion 109, a front portion 111, and a rear portion 113. The
handle portion
104 may include a front handle arm 112 that extends from the top portion 109
of the
body portion 108 proximate the front portion 111, and a rear handle arm 114
that
extends away from the top portion proximate the rear portion 113, and a hand
grip 105
extending between distal ends of the front and rear handle arms. A handle gap
116
may be formed in a space between the top portion 109 of the body portion 108,
the
front handle arm 112, the rear handle arm 114, and the hand grip 105. In the
illustrated embodiment, a trigger 106 may be disposed on the hand grip 105
proximate
the front arm 112 so as to be accessible via the handle gap 116 by a user
holding the
device 100 by the hand grip. Upon activation, the trigger 106 may be depressed
into
the hand grip 105. It should be understood, however, that the trigger 106 may
be
disposed in different configurations in other embodiments.
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[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the nozzle portion 110
may be
disposed on the front portion 111 of the body portion 108 proximate the top
portion
109. The nozzle portion 110 may include a removable pull safety 118 disposed
so as
to at least temporarily occlude a final nozzle 120 (visible in Fig. 5). The
pull safety 118
and its engagement with the device 100 may best be appreciated by comparing
Fig. 1,
which shows an embodiment of the device with the pull safety in place, and
Fig. 5,
which shows an embodiment of the device with the pull safety removed. The pull
safety 118 may include a pull tab 122, a central cover 124, and a tail 126.
When in
place on the nozzle portion 110, the central cover 124 may engage a nozzle
face 125
and fit within a nozzle ring 127 to occlude the final nozzle 120. In some
embodiments,
the central cover 124 may have at least a slight interference fit with the
nozzle ring 127
such that the pull safety stays in place until pulled by a user. In some
embodiments,
the tail 126 may fit within a tail slot 128 formed in the front handle arm
112. A tip orifice
130 may also be formed into the front handle arm 112 at an end of the tail
slot 128
spaced away from the nozzle portion 110. In some embodiments, a tail tip 132
may fit
into the tip orifice 130, as discussed in greater detail below. In one
embodiment of the
device 100, the pull safety 118 may be removed by a user prior to dispensing
fluid from
the device by pulling the pull tab 122 away from the nozzle portion 110. Fig.
6 shows
another view of the device 100 with the pull safety 118 removed. In some
embodiments, the pull safety 118 may include a tamper-evident system for
removal.
For example, fingers or attachments connected to the pull safety may help
removably
secure the pull safety 118 to the device 100. Upon removing the pull safety
118 from
the nozzle portion 110, the fingers may become deformed, making it difficult
or
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impossible to replace the pull safety onto the nozzle portion. This system may
prevent
a pull safety 118 from being replaced onto a device that has been used and,
thus, does
not hold a full supply of material in its canisters. One exemplary embodiment
of such a
system is illustrated with reference to Fig. 17, below. Other safety
embodiments as
alternatives to the illustrated pull safety are also contemplated herein. For
example,
some embodiments may include a pin inserted into one or multiple locations on
the
device 100 that may mechanically or otherwise prevent or limit the motion of
the trigger
106, the cam component 162, the mixing manifold 146, or other components, the
result
of which may be to prevent mixing or dispensing of the material.
[0040] Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 illustrate an embodiment of the device 100 with a
spray
selector switch 134 formed on the nozzle face 125 that may be moved between a
first
position 136 (shown in Fig. 7) and a second position 138 (shown in Fig. 8). As
shown
in Figs. 7 and 8, the nozzle portion 110 may include the nozzle ring 127 at
least
partially surrounding the nozzle face 125, and the final nozzle 120 formed
through the
nozzle face. The spray selector switch 134 may be disposed between two ends of
the
nozzle ring 127. In some embodiments, the nozzle face 125 may be rotated with
respect to the nozzle ring 127 such that the nozzle face rotates when the
spray
selector switch 134 is moved from the first position 136 to the second
position 138. In
such embodiments, when the spray selector switch 134 is moved, the shape or
flow of
spray as fluids are dispensed through the final nozzle 120 may be changed. For
example, in some embodiments, a first spray pattern may result from the spray
selector
switch 134 being in the first position 136 as shown in Fig.7, and a second
spray pattern
may result from the spray selector switch being in the second position 138 as
shown in
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Fig. 7. Examples of the type of spray patterns that could result from either
the first
position or the second position of the spray selector switch include, but are
not limited
to, course wet cone, course wet vertical spray, course wet horizontal spray,
wide
stream, straight stream, or other configurations that allow for customized
spray
coverage. Further, although the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 shows
two
spray selector switch positions, it is contemplated herein that the spray
selector switch
could have any number of positions to indicate any number of spray patterns
selectable by the user. It is also contemplated that, in some embodiments, the
spray
selector switch may not be affixed to the nozzle face, but may instead move
along the
nozzle face and cause other components within the nozzle portion to move and
affect
the spray shape.
[0041] Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of the device 100 with a
portion of
the outer casing 102 removed to show components housed within the outer
casing. In
the embodiment illustrated in these figures, the body portion 108 houses a
first canister
140, a second canister 142, and a third canister 144 within the outer casing
102.
Although the embodiments illustrated herein show an embodiment of the device
100
holding three canisters, other embodiments with different numbers of
canisters, such
as two, or more than three, are also contemplated herein. Additionally, it is
contemplated that the canisters may of various types in varying embodiments,
such as,
for example, aerosol, bag-on-valve, or other technology known to those skilled
in the
art. Alternatively, other dispensing designs or mechanisms may be employed in
other
embodiments. For example, some embodiments may include pre-loaded syringes, or
inserting a desiccated and/or erodible material into the mixing manifold 146.
In some
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embodiments, each canister 140, 142, 144 may be connected to a mixing manifold
146
that may be housed in the top portion 109 of the body portion 108. Generally,
each
canister 140, 142, 144 may hold materials in its interior to be mixed within
the mixing
manifold 146 and dispensed through the final nozzle 120 of the nozzle portion
110
upon activation of the trigger 106. The material held within the interior of
each canister
may vary depending on the embodiment and depending on the desired application.
Some non-exhaustive examples of materials that may be held within the
canisters are
quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C12-016 alkyl di-methyl chlorides,
liquid
hydrogen peroxide, and diacetin. In some embodiments, one canister may hold
water
with quaternary ammonium compounds held at about 120 pounds per square inch
(psi), another canister may hold a 7.99% solution of hydrogen peroxide,
unstabilized, at
about 120 psi, and another canister may hold food grade diacetin. Those of
ordinary
skill in the art, however, would understand that different combinations of
different
materials may be held within the canisters in different embodiments.
[0042] Figs. 9 and 10 also illustrated other components of the trigger 106.
Specifically, the trigger 106 may include a first trigger arm 148 housed
substantially
within the hand grip 105, and a second trigger arm 150 housed substantially
within the
rear handle arm 114. The first and second trigger arms 148, 150 may meet at a
pivot
portion 152, which may include a pivot orifice 154 for housing a pivot
fastener 156.
The pivot fastener 156 may be any kind of fastener suitable to fasten the
trigger to the
outer casing 102 through the pivot orifice 154, and to allow the trigger 106
to pivot
about the pivot portion 152 around the pivot fastener 156. In some
embodiments, the
pivot fastener 156 may be integral to the outer casing 102 of the device 100.
The
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trigger 106 may also include a trigger input 158 disposed at a distal end 149
of the first
trigger arm 148 and a trigger output 160 disposed on the distal end of the
second
trigger arm 150. The trigger input 158 may extend out of the hand grip 105
into the
handle gap 116 so as to be accessible to a user holding the device 100. When
the
user depresses the trigger input 158, the trigger 106 may pivot about the
pivot fastener
156, thereby converting the trigger's substantially vertical motion into
substantially
horizontal or lateral motion of the trigger output 160.
[0043] Although the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 includes a
pivoting
trigger, other contemplated embodiments may include linkages acting as cams,
or a
cable and pulley system, which themselves may take the form of many
configurations.
Additionally, the effect of the trigger on spray duration may vary in
different
embodiments, or combinations of different embodiments. For example, in some
embodiments, the device 100 may be configured so as to mix and dispense
material
only when the trigger 106 is actively depressed, and stop dispensing when a
user
releases the trigger. In other embodiments, the device 100 may be configured
to begin
mixing and dispensing upon trigger 106 activation, and continue to mix and
dispense
until the canisters are empty regardless of whether the trigger remains
depressed. In
other embodiments, the trigger 106 may include a spray lock that may lock the
trigger
in the depressed position.
[0044] In some embodiments, the top portion 109 of the body portion 108 may
additionally house a cam component 162 that may engage with the mixing
manifold
146. The cam component 162 may have a trigger end 164 and a spring end 166
opposite the trigger end. The cam component 162 may be movable along a first
axis
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210, which in some embodiments may be a substantially horizontal or lateral
direction
with respect to the mixing manifold 146 between the trigger output 160 and the
nozzle
portion 110. In some embodiments, a spring 168 may engage with the cam
component 162 to bias the cam component away from the nozzle portion 110 and
toward the trigger output 160. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 15,
the
spring end 166 of the cam component 162 may concentrically surround a
component
rod 169 of the cam component. The spring 168 may press against a biasing stem
159
that may be anchored to the outer casing 102. Thus, when a user depresses the
trigger input 158, the trigger output 160 may move substantially along a first
axis 210,
which may be substantially horizontally in some embodiments, against the
trigger end
164 of the cam component 162. If the trigger input 158 is depressed with
enough force
to overcome the biasing force of the spring 168, the cam component 162 may
move
with respect to the mixing manifold 146 in a direction toward the nozzle
portion 110.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the trigger may be configured to be a palm
squeeze configuration where, for example, a user's palm may press against the
trigger
to activate the mechanism that activates the canisters. In another embodiment,
the
trigger may be a thumb depress configuration that may utilize an internal
mechanism to
activate the canisters.
[0045] Figs. 11-13 show a magnified view of an embodiment of the handle
portion 104 and the top portion 109 of the body portion 108 with portions of
the outer
casing 102 removed for the sake of clarity. Referring first to Fig. 13, the
cam
component 162 and the mixing manifold 146 may be oriented with respect to one
another such that at least one cam surface may translate the cam component
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movement along the first axis 210 into movement of the mixing manifold along a
second axis 215 that, in some embodiments but not all, may be substantially
perpendicular to the first axis. In some embodiments, the first axis 210 may
be a
substantially horizontal axis and the second axis 215 may be a substantially
vertical
axis. In such embodiments, the substantially horizontal motion of the cam
component
may be converted into substantially vertical motion of the mixing manifold.
Specifically,
in some embodiments, the cam component 162 may have a first cam surface 170, a
second cam surface 172, and a third cam surface 174, and the mixing manifold
146
may have a first follower 171, second follower 173, and a third follower 175
that may
engage with the first, second, and third cam surfaces, respectively. As the
trigger
output 160 pushes the cam component 162 toward the nozzle portion 110, the cam
surfaces 170, 172, 174 may slide against the first, second, and third
followers 171,
173, 175, respectively. As the mixing manifold 146 is substantially limited or
restricted
from horizontal movement, the movement of the cam surfaces against the
followers of
the mixing manifold exerts a vertically downward force on the mixing manifold.
As a
result, the mixing manifold 146 may move from a passive position vertically
downward
toward the canisters 140, 142, 144 into a dispensing position. The cam and
follower
relationship between the cam component 162 and the mixing manifold 146 is also
shown in section in Fig. 14. Although the embodiment illustrated herein shows
three
respective cam surface and followers, embodiments of the cam component and
mixing
manifold having more or fewer respective cam surface and followers. In some
embodiments, the number of cam surface and corresponding followers may
correspond to the number of canisters used in a particularly device. For
example, a
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device housing two canisters may include a cam component having two cams and a
mixing manifold having two corresponding followers. Additionally, in some
embodiments, the cam component may be integrated into the trigger itself.
[0046] In some embodiments, the vertically downward motion of the mixing
manifold 146 may open each of a first valve 176, a second valve 178, and a
third valve
180 between the first, second, and third canisters 140, 142, 144,
respectively,
releasing the canisters' contents into the mixing manifold. The interaction
between the
canisters 140, 142, 144, their respective valves 176, 178, 180, and the mixing
manifold
146 is best illustrated in Fig. 14. Fig. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view
of an
embodiment of the device 100 with focus on the top portion 109, and
interaction of the
valves, the canisters, and the mixing manifold. The embodiment illustrated in
Fig .14
incudes different types of valves for the first, second, and third valves 176,
178, 180.
In this embodiment, each valve 176, 178, 180 may include a direct connection
to the
mixing manifold 146 with an integrated nozzle in the manifold. It is
contemplated,
however, that other types of connections may be used in other embodiments. For
example, the connection between the canisters 140, 142, 144 and the mixing
manifold
146 may include a male nozzle on the top of a canister that may be pressed
into a
gland or wiper seal on the mixing manifold, or the male nozzle may be pressed
into a
receiving cone on the mixing manifold, or other connections known to one
skilled in the
art.
[0047] In the embodiment in Fig. 14, the mixing manifold 146 may be
substantially hollow so as to form a mixing chamber 182 within the mixing
manifold.
The mixing chamber 182 may run substantially the entire length of the mixing
manifold
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146, from the nozzle portion 110 to a chamber cap 184 opposite the nozzle
portion that
seals off the mixing chamber. Additionally, a chamber insert 186 may be
disposed
within the mixing chamber 182 so as to be substantially surrounded by the
mixing
manifold 146. The size and shape of the chamber insert 186 may influence the
volume
and flow patterns within the mixing chamber 182. For example, a relatively
large
chamber insert may result in relatively small mixing chamber volume, and a
relatively
small chamber insert may result in a relatively large mixing chamber volume.
The size
and shape of the mixing chamber 182 may affect the flow pattern and mixing
quality of
the multiple materials of the canisters 140, 142, 144 as they pass through the
mixing
chamber and eventually out the nozzle portion 110.
[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14, each of the first, second,
and third
valves 176, 178, 180 has a stem portion and a valve bore formed through the
stem
portion that may provide fluid communication between each respective canister
140,
142, 144 and the mixing chamber 182 when the valves are in an open position.
Specifically, when the trigger 106 is activated, causing the trigger output
160 to move
the cam component 162 horizontally and press the cam surfaces 170, 172, 174
against
the followers 171, 173, 175, the mixing manifold 146 is pressed vertically
downward.
The downward vertical movement of the mixing manifold 146 results in the valve
stem
portions moving downward and simultaneously moving the valves 176, 178, 180
into
an open position. When all the valves 176, 178, 180 are simultaneously moved
into an
open position, the contents of the canisters 140, 142, 144 may enter the
mixing
chamber 182 at substantially the same time allowing for mixing.
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[0049] The first, second, and third canisters 140, 142, 144 may be disposed
within the outer casing 102 of the device 100 and arranged such that an upper
portion
of the canisters may engage with the respective valves. Specifically, an upper
portion
151 of the first canister 140 may be disposed so as to engage the first valve
176, an
upper portion of the second canister 142 may be disposed so as to engage the
second
valve 178, and the third canister 144 may be disposed so as to engage the
third valve
180. The first valve 176 may have a first stem portion 188 with a first valve
bore 189
formed through the first stem portion that may provide fluid communication
between
the first canister 140 and the mixing chamber 182. The second valve 178 may
have a
second stem portion 190 with a second valve bore 191 formed through the second
stem portion that may provide fluid communication between the second canister
142
and the mixing chamber 182. The third valve 180 may have a third stem portion
192
with a third valve bore 193 formed through the third stem portion that may
provide fluid
communication between the third canister 140 and the mixing chamber 182. In
some
embodiments, the upper portions 151, 153, 155 of each respective canister 140,
142,
144 may form a valve orifice 194, 195, 196 or other accommodation to accept or
otherwise engage each respective valve 176, 178, 180.
[0050] The dimensions of each valve bore may vary between valves and
depending on the desired mixture quality. For example, in the embodiment shown
in
Fig. 14, the first valve bore 189 formed through the first stem portion 188
may be
relatively narrower as compared to the second valve bore 191 formed through
the
second stem portion 190. Such a relationship may be desired in embodiments
where
the mixture to be dispensed by the device 100 has a higher volume of a
material stored
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in the second canister 142 than the material stored in the first canister 140.
As an
additional example, the third valve 180 shown in Fig. 14 may include a
restrictor orifice
as the third valve bore 193 formed through the third stem portion 192 narrows
near the
mixing chamber 182. It should be understood, however, that any of these types
of
valve bores and other types may be used in any combination to affect the
mixture
being dispensed from the device 100. It should also be understood that other
types of
device components may be used to control the proportions of material entering
the
mixing chamber 182 from the canisters and the amount of material flowing out
of the
final nozzle 120. For example, other embodiments may include induced vortexes,
pressure adjusted orifices, resistance force orifices, etc. Such components
and the
features described herein may increase control of the proportions of the mixed
materials from either a mass or volume basis, because in some embodiments, the
dispensed material may rely on tight control of mix percentage.
[0051] Fig. 14 also shows the relationship between the mixing manifold 146,
the
chamber insert 186, and the nozzle face 125. A nozzle end 197 of the chamber
insert
186 and a nozzle end 198 of the mixing manifold 146 may engage with the nozzle
face
125, forming a flow path between the mixing chamber 182 and the final nozzle
120.
The nozzle face 125 may include a substantially cylindrical outer nozzle
collar 121 that
may accept the nozzle end 198 of the mixing manifold 146. The nozzle face 125
may
also include an inner nozzle collar 123 that is substantially concentric with
the outer
nozzle collar 121 that may accept the nozzle end 197 of the chamber insert
186. In the
embodiment shown in Fig. 14, a mixing space 129 may be formed within the outer
nozzle collar 121 and the nozzle end 198 of the mixing manifold 146 that may
be in
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fluid communication with the mixing chamber 182. Additionally, although the
inner
nozzle collar 123 may substantially surround the nozzle end 197 of the chamber
insert
182, it should be understood that at least a portion of the inner nozzle
collar may allow
fluid communication between the mixing space 129 and the final nozzle 120. In
some
embodiments, however, the engagement between the nozzle end 197 of the chamber
insert 186 and the inner nozzle collar 123 may at least somewhat restrict flow
between
the mixing space 129 and the final nozzle 120. Such restriction may, in some
embodiments, allow for improved mixing to take place within the mixing space
129 as
the materials released from the canisters 140, 142, 144 flow through the
mixing
chamber 182 and converge in the mixing space 129. In other words, to the
extent that,
in some embodiments, the material released from a canister nearest the nozzle
portion
110 (e.g., the third canister 144) may reach the mixing space 129 before the
material
released from a canister further from the nozzle portion (e.g., the first or
second
canister 140, 142), the restrictive engagement between the nozzle end 197 of
the
chamber insert 186 and the inner nozzle collar 123 of the nozzle face 125 may
slow
dispersion of the materials so as to allow opportunity for more thorough
mixing prior to
ejection from the final nozzle 120. Another view of the relationship between
the mixing
manifold 146, the chamber insert 186, and the nozzle face 125 is also shown in
Fig. 15
with the pull safety 118 in place over the nozzle face 125.
[0052] Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the materials
stored in
the respective canisters 140, 142, 144 may be released into the mixing chamber
182,
flow into the mixing space 129, and out through the final nozzle 120 as a
mixture upon
a user activating the trigger 106.
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[0053] Figs. 16 and 17 show the relationship between the pull safety 118
and the
trigger 106. In some embodiments, the pull safety 118 may prevent activation
of the
trigger 106 while in place. Specifically, the tail 126 of the pull safety 118
may include a
tail tip 132 that may fit through a tip orifice 130 formed in the front handle
arm 112 to
engage the distal end 149 of the first trigger arm 148. In some embodiments, a
safety
bore 147 may be formed into the distal end 149 of the first trigger arm 148 to
accept
the tail tip 132. In such embodiments, the tail tip 132 may prevent the first
trigger arm
148 from moving when a user applies pressure to the trigger input 158. This
safety
mechanism may prevent accidental or inadvertent activation and dispensing of
the
materials stored within the device 100. When a user would like to use the
device 100,
however, the user may remove the pull safety 118, for example, by pulling on
the pull
tab 122. Pulling on the pull tab 122 may remove the central cover 124 from its
position
over the nozzle face 125 and may further remove the tail tip 132 from the
safety bore
147 in the trigger. Such embodiments of the pull safety 118 and the trigger
106 may
help prevent misfiring of the device because the pull safety may be configured
such
that the tail tip 132 may not be removable from the safety bore 147 and tip
orifice 132
until the central cover 124 has already been pulled clear of the final nozzle
120. In
other embodiments, however, it is contemplated that the tail tip 132 and
central cover
124 may be removed individually.
[0054] In some embodiments, as shown best in Fig. 17, the tail tip 132 may
include at least one finger 133, each of which may further include a finger
protuberance
135. In such embodiments, the safety bore 147 may be formed relatively wider
at
toward its end than at its entrance so as to accommodate the finger
protuberances 135
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when the tail tip 132 is in place within the safety bore. A gap may be formed
between
fingers 133 such that when the tail tip 132 is removed from the safety bore,
the sloped
walls of the safety bore 147 are made to press against the protuberances 135,
forcing
the distal ends of the fingers 133 inward. This inward movement of the fingers
133
may allow the tail tip 132 to be removed from the safety bore 147 when a user
pulls
with sufficient force to overcome the fingers' tendency to resist inward
movement. In
some embodiments, once the tail tip 132 has been pulled fully clear of the
safety bore
147, the elasticity of the fingers 133 may force the distal ends back into the
originally
expanded positions. In such embodiments, the fingers 133 may spread apart to a
width that is greater than the width of the entrance to the safety bore 147,
preventing or
limiting the ability to re-insert the tip tail 132 into the safety bore. In
such embodiments,
a potential user of the device 100 may know that the device may not be full
because
the pull safety 118 has previously been removed. In some embodiments, the
fingers
133 may not spring back into place, but instead be permanently deformed as
they are
removed from the safety bore 147. In such embodiments, the tip tail 132 may
not be
made to be secure within the safety bore 147 because the protuberances 135 may
not
press outwardly against the walls of the safety bore. Thus, in such
embodiments, a
potential user may also be alerted to the fact that the pull safety 118 has
previously
been removed and the canisters may not be full.
[0055] Fig. 18 shows the device 100 in a dispensing position in which the
trigger
106 has been moved from a passive position (e.g., Fig. 13), into a dispending
position.
As shown, the trigger output 160 may press against the trigger end 164 of the
cam
component 162, moving the cam component horizontally from a passive position
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toward the nozzle portion 110 into a dispensing position. As the cam component
162
moves toward the nozzle, the cam surfaces 170, 172, 174 may press downward on
the
first, second, and third followers 171, 173, 175, respectively, which may move
the
mixing manifold toward the canisters 140, 142, 144 from a passive position
into a
dispensing position. The mixing manifold's 146 downward movement may open the
first, second, and third valves 176, 178, 180, allowing the material in the
respective
canisters 140, 142, 144 to enter the mixing manifold, mix, and be dispensed
through
the nozzle.
[0056] Figs. 19 and 20 shows an alternative embodiment of a safety pull 218
that
has a tail tip 232 that may be used with a trigger 206 forming a safety bore
247 at its
distal end 249. In this embodiment, the tail tip 232 may include a first
finger 233 and a
second finger 234 with a gap 235 formed between the two fingers. The safety
bore
247 may be formed relatively wider toward its end then at its entrance so as
to house
the first and second fingers 233, 234 when the tail tip 232 is in place within
the safety
bore. At least one of the first or second fingers 233, 234 may include a
finger cam 236.
In some embodiments, as the tail tip 232 is pulled out of the safety bore 247,
pressure
on the finger cam 236 from the walls of the safety bore may force the second
finger
234 toward the first finger 233, narrowing the gap 235 when a user pulls with
sufficient
force to overcome the fingers' tendency to resist inward movement. In some
embodiments, once the tail tip 232 has been pulled fully clear of the safety
bore 247,
the elasticity of the fingers 233, 234 may force the distal ends back into the
originally
expanded positions. In such embodiments, the fingers 233, 234 may spread apart
to a
width that is greater than the width of the entrance to the safety bore 247,
preventing or
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limiting the ability to re-insert the tip tail 232 into the safety bore. In
such embodiments,
a potential user of the device 100 may know that the device may not be full
because
the pull safety 218 has previously been removed. In some embodiments, the
fingers
233, 234 may not spring back into place, but instead be permanently deformed
as they
are removed from the safety bore 247. In such embodiments, the tip tail 232
may not
be made to be secure within the safety bore 247 because the finger cam 236 and
fingers 233, 234 may not press outwardly against the walls of the safety bore.
Thus, in
such embodiments, a potential user may also be alerted to the fact that the
pull safety
218 has previously been removed and the canisters may not be full.
[0057] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the device
100
described above may be of virtually any practical size and dimensions so long
as it is
capable of performing the described functions. Some embodiments of the device,
however, may have contain a volume of material of about 14.5 oz. (about 430
mL),
about 22 oz. (about 650 mL), or about 29.5 oz. (about 875 mL). The device may
have
a width of about 6.6 inches (about 167.5 mm), a depth of about 2.3 inches
(about 59
mm), and a height of about 13 inches (about 330 mm). In other embodiments, the
device may have a width of about 6.6 inches (about 167.5 mm), a depth of about
2.3
inches (about 59 mm), and a height of about 16.2 inches (about 412 mm). In
other
embodiments, the device may have a width of about 7.7 inches (about 196 mm), a
depth of about 3 inches (about 76 mm), and a height of about 13.8 inches
(about 350
mm).
[0058]
Additionally, it will be understood that the disclosed device 100 may be
used for a variety of different applications for which dispensing a mixture of
materials
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may be desired. One possible application may be in decontamination of biologic
agents, including, but not limited to, strains of bacillus anthracis like Ames-
RIID and
ANR-1, and yersinia pestis (e.g., ATCC 11953). Another application may be in
decontamination of chemical agents, such as, but not limited to, mercury (Hg),
GD
nerve agents (i.e., pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate or 1,2,2-
trimethylpropyl
methylphosphonofluoridate), or VX nerve agents (i.e., 0-ethyl S-(2-
diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate or methylphosphonothioic acid).
Another application may be in decontamination of human excretions including,
but not
limited to, urine, vomit, feces, blood, and other bodily fluids. Although
variable based
on the type of contaminant and other conditions, in some embodiments the time
to
decontamination may be about 10 minutes after spraying. In some embodiments,
the
time to decontamination could be 10 seconds, or 20 seconds, or 20 minutes in
yet
other embodiments.
[0059] Although variable and dependent upon application, the following is
an
example of a method of using the device disclosed herein. Those of ordinary
skill in
the art will recognized that these steps may be performed in any practical
order so as
to dispense the mixture in a desired use. The user may identify a hazardous
material
or otherwise contaminated target. If the device is stored in a pouch or
holder, the
device may be removed. The user may check whether the pull safety is in place,
and
may determine not to use the device if the safety or central cover has been
previously
removed. The user may select a spray type as appropriate for the application.
For
example, in some embodiments, turning the spray selector to the left may
result in a
stream dispensing shape, and turning the spray selector to the right may
result in a
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coarse wet spray shape, though other options may be available as well. The
user may
pull the pull tab to remove the pull safety and the central cover from the
nozzle portion.
The user may aim the nozzle portion at the contaminant or other hazardous
material,
and squeeze the trigger to activate the trigger mechanism and open the
canister
valves. In some embodiments, a full stream of dispensed spray may last about
40
seconds, or about 35 seconds in other embodiments. It should be understood,
however, that time to dispense the spray may vary depending on how full the
canisters
are for a particular use, and on the pressure within the canisters. While
dispensing, the
user may sweep the spray across the hazardous material to coat it evenly. The
user
may start and stop spraying periodically. In some embodiments, a 14.5 oz. (430
mL)
device may coat up to about 25 square feet (2.3 square meters). In some
embodiments, a 10.6 oz. (315 mL) device may coat up to about 18 square feet
(1.67
square meters). The user may wait at least 10 minutes, in some embodiments,
for the
hazardous material to be decontaminated, but other wait times may apply
depending
on the application.
[0060] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate
the
invention and the invention is not limited thereto. While the specification is
described in
relation to certain implementation or embodiments, many details are set forth
for the
purpose of illustration. Thus, the foregoing merely illustrates the principles
of the
invention. For example, the invention may have other specific forms without
departing
from its spirit or essential characteristic. The described arrangements are
illustrative
and not restrictive. To those skilled in the art, the invention is susceptible
to additional
implementations or embodiments and certain of these details described in this
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application may be varied considerably without departing from the basic
principles of
the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will
be able to
devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown
herein,
embody the principles of the invention and, thus, within its scope and spirit.
29
