Manual Spray Applicator With Internal Agitators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray application systems for paints and coatings, particularly for small areas and remote locations, are inconvenient due to their size, need for power sources, and the difficulty in achieving uniform application and re-dispersion of settled particles in viscous coatings like CARC, which are critical for military and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A portable, manually operable, trigger-activated pump spray applicator with internal agitators, including small spherical balls and a larger striker, that effectively re-disperses settled particles in a bottle-shaped container, allowing for uniform application of viscous coatings without the need for external power or propellants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power-driven or propellant-assisted spray techniques are used, then high flow rate and uniform coating are achieved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the coating fluid's own hydraulic pressure to drive the spray process. The pump is activated by the user's hand pump action, and the fluid's pressure generates the spray without requiring external power sources or propellants, making the device portable and simple
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates complex power-driven systems, propellant supplies, and mechanical support structures from the spray application system, retaining only the essential manual pump mechanism and container assembly for portable use
2Manufacturing precision
If viscous coating fluid is sprayed through narrow orifice, then coating uniformity is improved, but force required to achieve spray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic manual pump mechanism that generates variable pressure during operation. The pump's reciprocating action creates pressure pulses that effectively force the viscous coating fluid through the narrow orifice, enabling spray generation with manageable user effort
Solution Approach 2:
The invention relies on hydraulic principles where the pump generates pressure to force the viscous coating fluid through the narrow orifice. The fluid's own pressure, generated by the pump action, is sufficient to achieve effective spray without requiring external power or propellants
3Duration of action of stationary object
If settled particles are present in coating fluid, then storage stability is improved, but composition uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary agitation action by incorporating an agitator that mixes the coating fluid before spraying. This preliminary mixing action redistributes settled particles and ensures composition uniformity is restored before the coating is applied, maintaining both storage stability and application quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, uniform, and portable application of coatings, including CARC, on complex surfaces and small areas, maintaining composition uniformity and stability, even after prolonged storage, without the need for extensive cleaning or mechanical support.
Implementation Method 1
manually pumping the curable coating fluid through the spray nozzle, thereby forming a spray of atomized coating fluid
Implementation Method 2
directing the spray of atomized coating fluid onto the surface
Implementation Method 3
an agitation system within the container comprising (i) a plurality of freely movable, small spherical balls, and (ii) at least one freely movable striker larger than any of the small spherical balls
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, manually operable, trigger-activated pump spray applicator can be used to apply paints and coating fluids in commercial and military end use applications, especially chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) fluids. The applicator includes an impermeable, preferably rigid-walled, container capped by a manually operable spray pump with a single fluid nozzle. The assembly has capability of producing an atomized spray of viscous coating fluids. The applicator includes internal agitators suitable to redisperse solid components of the coating fluid that settle after long-term storage. The agitators include a plurality of small, heavy spheres and a single large, heavy, striker. The inside bottom wall and side wall meet with a concave radius of curvature that matches the radius of the small spheres. The striker has a characteristic dimension of about 10-500% greater than the diameter of the small spheres.