Sprayer with touch pump

Abstract

An electric, compact, ready-to-use sprayer includes a main housing. When used in combination with a motor, a self-priming trigger tube, a rotary element, a spherical shroud, a spherical shroud outlet, a supply hose, and an extension wand outlet, it is capable of pumping low and high viscosity fluids, creating a liquid spray, and dispensing the fluid forward with very few moving parts and minimal energy.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application relates to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 991,149, filed March 18, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure is generally directed to ready-to-use sprayers, and more specifically to a compact, portable liquid dispenser that uses a fluctuating, self-contained contact pump system and a multi-directional spherical pressure control shield. Background Technology

[0004] There are various ways to pump, transport, or move fluids. There are also many methods for spraying, atomizing, and distributing fluids. Many pumping and distributing mechanisms currently in use require complex pumps, excessive electrical or thermal energy, high pressure, are limited to low-viscosity fluids, generate excessive friction, are mechanically complex, rigid, bulky, noisy, difficult to clean, require high-pressure hoses, are difficult and expensive to manufacture, difficult to fill, and prone to clogging.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a ready-to-use sprayer that uses an undulating contact pump, which allows an electric motor to apply rotational energy to the fluid it pumps.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a ready-to-use sprayer that delivers naturally rotating fluid pumped by an undulating contact tube into a spherical shroud, where rotation can continue and is enhanced by supercavitation caused by the features of the spherical inner surface.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a ready-to-use sprayer that can further enhance fluid rotation by using a rotating element that also forms holes in the fluid, thereby drawing the fluid away from a seal that separates the motor from the drive shaft, thus preventing potential leak points.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a ready-to-use sprayer that can then guide fluid, which is simultaneously pumped upward by an undulating contact tube and pulled down by a rotating element, and squeezed through a predetermined outlet point into an extended rod in which it is distributed in a forward direction, thereby providing a low-power, quiet, easy-to-clean, portable ready-to-use sprayer without generating high pressure or high temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of sprayers with contact pumps relate to a ready-to-use sprayer. According to one embodiment, the sprayer is an electrically powered, compact, ready-to-use sprayer capable of pumping low-viscosity and high-viscosity fluids, producing a liquid spray, and distributing the fluid forward with very few moving parts and minimal energy.

[0010] According to one aspect, a sprayer suitable for connection to a fluid source is provided, comprising a housing, a motor and a drive shaft operably positioned within the housing, the motor being selectively actuated by a user and imparting rotational motion to the drive shaft upon actuation; a plurality of contact tubes, each contact tube including a first end interconnected with the drive shaft and a second end adapted for insertion into a fluid; a supply hose in which the plurality of contact tubes extend; a shield connected adjacent to the drive shaft to the housing, a portion of the plurality of contact tubes, near their first ends, being contained therein, the shield having an outlet; and a rod having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the shield and an outlet for discharging fluid.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the sprayer further includes a rotating element attached to a drive shaft and first ends of a plurality of contact tubes attached to the rotating element.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the rotating element includes a first end having a first dimension attached to a drive shaft and a body extending outward from the first end and having a dimension larger than that of the first end.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the rotating element is triangular, with a first end defined by a corner of the triangle.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the shield includes a plurality of grooves formed on its inner surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the shield is spherical.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the rod includes a first converging fluid passage formed therein;

[0017] According to one embodiment, the rod includes a second converging fluid passage extending between the first fluid path and the outlet.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the rod includes a divergent fluid path extending between a first converging fluid path and an inlet.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the sprayer also includes a switch located outside the housing and selectively actuated by a user to actuate the motor.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the sprayer also includes a power source electrically connected to a switch.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the sprayer also includes a charging port located on the housing and electrically connected to a power source.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the sprayer also includes a seal through which the drive shaft extends and is positioned within a housing to seal the fluid within the housing from leakage to the motor.

[0023] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional side view of a sprayer according to one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the shield portion of a sprayer according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the shield portion of a sprayer according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional front view of the rod portion of a sprayer according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional side view of a sprayer according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This disclosure describes a ready-to-use sprayer 10. (Refer to...) Figure 1 In one embodiment, the ready-to-use sprayer 10 is fluidly connected to a container 12 having a fluid source 14 contained therein. The sprayer 10 includes a plurality of contact tubes 16 (all contained within a supply hose 17) that act as a pumping mechanism and remove the fluid 14 from the container 12 and discharge it from the sprayer, as will be described in more detail below.

[0031] The sprayer 10 includes a housing 18 in which a motor 20 is operatively positioned. The motor 20 is selectively actuated by a user who can move a switch 22 (connected to the housing 18) between on and off positions. The switch 22 is electrically coupled to the motor 20 and powered by a power source 24 (e.g., a battery), also located within the housing 18. A charging port 26 may be located externally to the housing 18 and is externally operable, and may be electrically coupled to the power source 24 to provide a method for recharging the power source.

[0032] A spherical / annular shroud 28 is fixedly interconnected to the motor 20 within the housing 18, and a supply hose 17 terminates at one end of the shroud 28. One end of each contact tube 16 is positioned within the shroud 28 and is fixed to a rotating element 30, which is mounted to the end of a drive shaft 32 extending from the motor 20 and rotating about an axis X. When the motor 20 is started, the drive shaft 32 rotates about the axis X, causing the rotating element 30 and the contact tubes 16 to rotate. This rotational motion imparted to the contact tubes 16 causes them to undulate along their entire length. As will be described below, this undulating motion imparted to the contact tubes 16 acts as a pump to move fluid 14 from the container 12 along the length of the contact tubes 16 into the shroud 28.

[0033] The shroud 28 is sealed relative to the motor 20 by a seal 34 that extends around the drive shaft 32 as it enters the shroud 28. As fluid moves along the contact tube 16 and enters the shroud 28, it is thrown out of the end of the contact tube 16 by centrifugal force and into the shroud 28. The shroud 28 includes a plurality of grooves 36 formed on its inner surface and includes a fluid outlet 38 through which fluid exits the shroud 28. Embodiments of the shroud may include… Figure 2 and Figure 3 As seen in the image, when the fluid moves and is impacted by the groove 36, an additional cavitation effect is generated, thereby reducing drag and increasing the fluid rotation speed within the protective shield 28.

[0034] The rotating element 30 is shaped such that its narrowest dimension is at its end closest to the seal 34; triangular, parabolic, and semi-parabolic shapes are all possible shapes for the rotating element 30. Positioning the narrowest portion of the rotating element 30 closest to the seal 34 creates low pressure on the larger portion of the rotating element 30 and its smooth outer surface. Fluid passing through this smooth outer surface generates various eddies at the junction of the drive shaft 32 and the seal 34, further minimizing / facilitating fluid removal from this opening. Furthermore, the seal can be composed of a low-friction material with minimal resistance to facilitate fluid extraction from the seal 34.

[0035] As fluid 14 is pulled away from the small tip of rotating element 30 toward the larger diameter of rotating element 30, fluid 14 is accelerated and ejected outward from inside spherical shield 28, thereby combining with fluid 14, which is drawn in by contact tube 16 and kept rotating inside spherical shield 28, thereby building up pressure inside spherical shield 28 and ultimately forcing fluid 14 through spherical shield outlet 38.

[0036] Furthermore, the spherical shield 28 prevents back pressure from causing fluid 14 to flow back down along the supply hose 17, thus acting as a check valve. The position of the rotating element 30 can be adjusted to raise and lower the outlet 38. Ideally, the spherical shield 28 should preferably be designed to accommodate the amount of fluid 14 at a rate equal to that of the undulating contact tube 16, to allow for continuous, unobstructed flow.

[0037] As fluid 14 is ejected through the spherical shield outlet 38, it enters the extended rod 40. Now refer to... Figure 4 As fluid 14 exits the spherical shroud outlet 38 and flows into the extended rod 40, it rapidly expands through the extended rod expander / diffuser 42. After expansion, fluid 14 then stabilizes into a laminar flow through the extended rod 40. As fluid 14 continues through the extended rod 40, it is guided through the converging extended rod fluid channel 44, where it is further accelerated. It then passes through a second converging fluid channel 46 for further acceleration before exiting the extended rod outlet 48.

[0038] Now for reference Figure 5 It can be noted that, if necessary, multiple outlets and cascaded spherical shrouds and rotating elements can be stacked to control the fluid 14 and redirect it to different channels; this arrangement of sprayer 100 (with the same components as sprayer 10) is also possible. This embodiment can be achieved by additional contact tubes between the cascaded spherical shrouds shown, or the spherical elements can be directly or indirectly connected to each other.

[0039] The vibration caused by the rotating contact tube 16 enhances the suction effect. The suction volume can also be controlled by changing the volume of the spherical shield 28, the diameter and stiffness of the supply hose 17, the shape of the rotating element 30, and the configuration of the contact tube 16. The rotating element 30 is not necessary, but it enhances the flow through the outlet 38 of the spherical shield while drawing fluid 14 away from the seal 34. It has been shown that the seal 34 can be eliminated if the opening between the drive shaft 32 and the drive shaft is small due to the suction effect at the end of the rotating element 30 and the resulting fluid vortex / hole. It should also be noted that a large amount of fluid 14 can be moved by using the spherical shield 28 and the rotating element 30 without the undulating contact tube 16. The configuration of the contact tube can also be varied in number.

[0040] While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will readily envision various other means and / or structures for performing functions and / or obtaining results and / or one or more methods. The advantages described herein, and each of these variations and / or modifications, are considered to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily understand that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the specific application or doctrine being / used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents of the particular embodiments described herein using only conventional experimentation. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only, and that embodiments may be practiced in ways different from the specific descriptions and claims within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Embodiments of this disclosure pertain to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, provided that such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods do not contradict each other, is included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A sprayer suitable for connection to a fluid source, comprising: a. A spherical shield, comprising a plurality of grooves formed on its inner surface and an outlet; b. A flexible hose comprising a first end terminating within a spherical sheath and a second end adapted for insertion into a fluid source; c. A housing, a motor and a drive shaft operably positioned therein, the motor being selectively actuated by a user and imparting rotational motion to the drive shaft upon actuation; and d. It also includes a plurality of contact tubes within the hose, wherein the drive shaft is configured to impart rotational motion to the contact tubes.

2. The sprayer according to claim 1, comprising a second spherical shroud communicating with a second outlet of the spherical shroud.

3. The sprayer of claim 1 further includes a rod having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the spherical shroud and an outlet for discharging fluid.

4. The sprayer of claim 1 further includes a rotating element attached to the drive shaft and the contact tube attached to the rotating element.

5. The sprayer according to claim 4, wherein, The rotating element includes a first end having a first dimension attached to the drive shaft and a body extending outward from the first end of the rotating element and having a dimension larger than that of the first end of the rotating element.

6. A sprayer suitable for connection to a fluid source, comprising: a. A housing, in which a motor and drive shaft are operably positioned, the motor being selectively actuated by a user and, upon actuation, imparting rotational motion to the drive shaft; b. A plurality of contact tubes, each contact tube including a first end interconnected with the drive shaft and a second end adapted for insertion into a fluid; c. A feed hose, wherein the plurality of contact tubes extend therein; d. A protective cover, attached to the housing and adjacent to the drive shaft, comprising portions of a plurality of contact tubes near their first ends, the protective cover having an outlet; and e. A rod having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the shield and an outlet for discharging fluid.

7. The sprayer of claim 6 further includes a rotating element attached to the drive shaft and the first ends of the plurality of contact tubes attached to the rotating element.

8. The sprayer according to claim 7, wherein, The rotating element includes a first end having a first dimension attached to the drive shaft and a body extending outward from the first end of the rotating element and having a dimension larger than that of the first end of the rotating element.

9. The sprayer according to claim 8, wherein, The rotating element is triangular, and the first end of the rotating element is defined by one angle of the triangle.

10. The sprayer according to claim 6, wherein, The shield includes a plurality of grooves formed on its inner surface.

11. The sprayer according to claim 6, wherein, The protective cover is spherical.

12. The sprayer according to claim 6, wherein, The rod includes a first converging fluid passage formed therein.

13. The sprayer according to claim 12, wherein, The rod includes a second converging fluid passage extending between the first converging fluid passage and the outlet.

14. The sprayer according to claim 12, wherein, The rod includes a diffusion fluid passage extending between the first converging fluid passage and the inlet.

15. The sprayer of claim 6 further includes a switch located outside the housing and selectively actuated by a user to actuate the motor.

16. The sprayer of claim 15, further comprising a power source electrically connected to the switch.

17. The sprayer of claim 16 further includes a charging port located on the housing and electrically connected to the power source.

18. The sprayer of claim 6, further comprising a seal, the drive shaft extending through the seal and positioned within the shroud to seal fluid within the shroud from leakage to the motor.

19. A method for distributing fluid, the method comprising the following steps: a. Fluid is pumped from a fluid source into a spherical shield via multiple contact tubes, the spherical shield including multiple recesses located within the housing; b. Rotate one end of the contact tube inside the housing using a rotating element, causing the contact tube to undulate; c. Pumping fluid into the spherical shield so that the grooves can produce a cavitation effect on the fluid; d. Generating eddies that pull the fluid downwards through rotation, thereby drawing the fluid away from the seal that separates the motor from the drive shaft, thus preventing potential leaks; and e. Force the fluid through the outlet point of the spherical shield into the extended rod, where the fluid is distributed forward within the rod.

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