EP1786569A1

EP1786569A1 - Cover for multi-tank spray system provided with a vehicle tyre valve-type pressurizing member

Info

Publication number: EP1786569A1
Application number: EP05805567A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Michel Rastel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-08
Filing date: 2005-09-07
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Also published as: FR2874902B1; CN101027135A; WO2006030110A1; FR2874902A1; CA2579372A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a cover for a multi-tank spray system (21, 22) provided with a fluid supply system and comprising a cover body (1) provided with fixing means (12) for releasably closing a tank (21, 22). Two channels (20, 30) of fluid passage are provided, a first passage channel (20) for a member pressurizing (2) the tank (21, 22), a second channel (30) for a safety valve (3) integral with the lid cover (1). A third channel (40) for supplying spraying means (5, 50) through a feeding connection (4) can also be integral with the body of the cover (1), said channel may also be located on the lower part of the tank. At least one pressurizing member (2) and the safety valve (3) are removably fixed to the cover body (1) thereby facilitating maintenance and replacement of parts.

Description

Lid for multi-tank spraying system with a vehicle tire valve pressurizing member

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of spray systems fed by a pressure vessel. The invention relates more particularly to an improved multi-tank cover, provided with a device for pressurizing a reservoir (tire valve), a safety valve and a sprayer equipped with such a lid, sprayer completed by a means of spraying means, either on the lid or at the bottom of the tank,

GOAL

- Easy with a single lid to use several monobloc tanks, with volume gain in the tank and overall low cost. - Easy maintenance, all connections, pressurization valve, safety valve and spraying means are cleanable and easily replaceable.

- Ease of use without any fatigue by using a small electric compressor connected to the valve to obtain the pressurization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the maintenance of gardens and green spaces, it is commonly used portable sprayers or installed on a mobile frame, including weeding, spraying insecticides or fertilizers. More generally, a large majority of known sprayers are pressurized by a manual pump system that compresses the air as the user pumps. The disadvantage of these devices lies in the need for the user to produce a prolonged and intense effort to pump, especially at the end of compression when the pump becomes increasingly difficult to maneuver. Fatigue is all the more felt by low-strength (or disabled) individuals, including seniors who often have gardening activities.

It is also known sprayers operating with built-in rechargeable electric accumulators for large capacities. However, the cost of such sprays is high and especially their weight is too important and makes their use prohibitive for small gardening type activities. In addition, it is necessary to think about the fragility and the maintenance difficulties of the current devices whose different parts are almost always integrated in the body of the tank and inaccessible. It is known in the prior art, from the European patent EP 1 167 630, a portable spray device, wherein the liquid in the tank can be pressurized by an air or electric compressor. A fill valve is provided at the tank, allowing the tank to be pressurized by an external pressure source. The disadvantage of these devices is that many essential parts for the proper operation of the spray are inaccessible to the user because they are housed in the tank. Thus, in case of problem for these parts (blockage, fouling, deterioration by corrosive products, etc.), the user can not intervene to change parts or clean the plugged parts. In addition, this type of device does not change the tank to obtain a capacity adapted to the various needs of the user.

It is known in the field of paint containers, from documents US Pat. No. 2,504,009, US Pat. No. 1,710,435 and US Pat. No. 1,727,500, sprayers for delivering paint (or varnish) having a pressurization inlet formed on the lid. . The lid of these sprayers is relatively heavy to be able to withstand in particular the elements of pressurization and pressure control. However, this type of sprayer remains difficult to maintain and is not suitable for mobile use, especially for the maintenance of gardens and green spaces. DE 196 48 598 also discloses a device for spraying dense / viscous liquid products, with a fitting on the lid to allow pressurized air to enter. This type of device, to be pressurized, requires to connect a pressurized air supply on the fitting. The fitting must then be plugged / closed when pressurization is complete (internal pressure up to 6 bar). A disadvantage of this device is that it remains heavy and difficult to handle, requiring a tray with wheels to move it. In addition, the pressurizing pipe is not sealed, which does not achieve long-lasting preservation of high pressure, except by using a supplementary sealing system tedious to handle. In addition, the various elements positioned on the cover are fixed and the average user (during gardening activities) does not clean the connections by dismounting them individually.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore aims to overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art by defining an improved cover incorporating parts essential to the operation of the spray and can be used on sprayers of different capacities. A further object of the invention is to provide a cover facilitating the maintenance and replacement of different connections.

To this end, the invention relates to a lid for a multi-tank portable or towable spray system suitable in particular for gardening activities, provided with a fluid supply system for a tank of a spray apparatus, comprising a lid body having fastening means for releasably closing a reservoir and at least two fluid passage channels, a first passage channel being provided for a tank pressurizing member integral with the lid body and a second channel being provided for a safety valve secured to the lid body, characterized in that the pressurizing member and the safety valve are each fixed removable to the lid body, the pressurizing member comprising a valve disposed in a quick coupling device.

Finally, a third channel provided for supplying spraying means with a supply connection may also be integral with the body of the lid and removably secured thereto.

This latter connection spraying feed means (lance or gun) can independently be removably attached to the body of the lid or simply on the bottom of the tank (screwed or quick connector). Thus, the invention makes it possible to use tanks of different capacity, the opening of which is closed by the same cover on which the various connections necessary for the operation of the sprayer are removably attached and replaceable.

According to the invention, a quick coupling device is inserted in the first passage channel and comprises:

- Sealing means of the quick coupling device in the first passage channel;

a valve disposed intermediately between a lower passage intended to bring air into a reservoir and an upper air intake passage.

The quick connect device may include a male or female connection portion extending toward the top of the lid to permit a sealed connection to a transfer hose, as well as a pressurized air inlet member for pressurizing a volume located below the lid. The valve is then disposed intermediate between the connecting portion and the pressurized air inlet element.

According to another feature of the invention, the pressurizing member associated with said first channel for pressurizing the tank is of the vehicle tire valve type and is recessed (as in a car rim) or screwed into the body of the lid , the actual pressurization being obtained by any known means (mechanical, electric or thermal compressor, gas, etc.). According to another feature of the invention, a pressurization safety valve type member sealingly and removably attached to said lid body, penetrates the latter by the second channel.

According to another feature of the invention, a spraying means fixing member, of the quick coupling type for hose for connecting a spray lance, penetrates the cover body in the extension of the third channel to receive spray means. The hose for connecting a spray lance can also, in another model, be connected (screwed or quick connector) to a lower end of the tank.

In another feature, the fluid supply system of the lid comprises a supply pipe extending over a determined length between the third channel and the bottom of a tank to bring the liquid to the spraying means, the pipe supply being provided at its free end with a filter element.

According to another feature, the lid body is integral and obtained by molding a plastic material or equivalent, the thickness of the lid body being determined to withstand pressures equal to or greater than 3 bar. Thus, it is possible to extract easily with the cover all the elements necessary for the operation of a sprayer to clean or replace, the pressurization valve, the safety valve or the supply connection, these three elements being removable, as well as than the supply pipe with its filter. In another feature, the body of the lid is flattened and the fastening means for closing a reservoir comprise threading means disposed on a circular lateral portion of the lid body and at least one sealing element.

According to another feature, the body of the lid comprises on said lateral portion at least one aeration port for balancing the pressures between the inside and the outside of the tank when unscrewing the lid. This is a safety in case of unscrewing under pressure. A further object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art by defining a sprayer with a set of tanks of different capacities, the pressurization systems and safety, possibly power, are arranged on one and the same lid.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a sprayer of the type comprising a reservoir (for example a monobloc) under pressure, characterized in that it comprises a possible set of interchangeable tanks of different capacity each having an opening of determined (identical) dimension for the pouring of liquids and a single tank lid comprising fastening means for closing said tank, the body of said cover being provided with at least two channels for the passage of a fluid, a first passage channel provided for a pressurizing member of the reservoir secured to the lid body, a second channel provided for a safety valve integral with the lid body, and optionally a third channel provided for supplying spray means by a supply connection secured to the lid body, each three elements formed by the pressurizing member, the safety valve and the supply connection and ant removably attached to the lid body. According to another feature, a supply by spraying means is provided at a lower part of a tank, via a channel penetrating said tank and an external fitting provided with a thread, the connection outside being formed integrally with the molding of the tank. All power connections are removable and replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, with its features and advantages, will emerge more clearly on reading the description given with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a lid according to the invention and associated elements for forming a multi-tank sprayer,

FIG. 2 represents a view from above of an embodiment of the lid body,

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of the lid body of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a view from below of the lid body shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; FIG. 5 schematically represents a lid according to the invention that can be adapted with several reservoirs,

FIG. 6 shows a type of use of the lid according to the invention,

- Figures 7A and 7B show a sprayer with a lid according to the invention, with a supply of the spray means on the tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF

THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1, 7A and 7R

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the lid according to the invention comprises a lid body (1) provided with fixing means (12) for removably sealing a reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) of capacity. variable. The body of the lid (1) can be flattened and comprises for example a circular lateral portion (11) adapted to grip the edges of the opening of the tank (21, 22, 23, 24). Fixing means (12) such as threading means are for example provided on this lateral portion to allow sealing a reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) of variable capacity of the type comprising an opening with flange circular. The opening of the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) has determined dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the circular lateral portion (11) of the cover body (1). Naturally, the cover may be provided, in alternative embodiments, with a completely different type of fixing means of the removable type to allow the closure of the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24). It should be understood that any form of tank (21, 22, 23, 24), with gripping means of handle type or not, may be suitable to fit the cover according to the invention. At least one sealing element is provided with the cover (1). A seal of the silicone, rubber and other material type can thus be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, it is therefore possible to form a spray apparatus by using a conventional reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) of variable capacity having an opening intended for the pouring of liquids whose dimensions adapt to a single tank lid. A set of several tanks of different capacity, by way of non-limiting example of respectively 5L, 8L, 12L ₁ 16, 2OL etc. can be associated with the same lid according to the invention. The spray apparatus obtained is of the type comprising a single reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) integral piece able to be pressurized and an improved lid according to the present invention, that is to say a lid provided with a filling valve (2) for pressurizing a reservoir, a safety valve (3) and a supply opening for receiving a supply connection (4) in connection with spray means (5, 50). With reference to FIG. 1, the lid body (1) is provided with at least three channels (20, 30, 40) for the passage of a fluid. A first passage channel (20) is provided for a valve (2) secured to the lid for pressurizing the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24). The latter may be pressurized by an external pressure source, which may include a mechanical pump, or non-mechanical power such as an electric or thermal compressor, or compressed air cylinders. With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the third channel (40) of the cover can be replaced by a channel (40 ') for supplying the spraying means of the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) which is integral with the lower part of the tank. The channel (40 ') is then located at a lower part of the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) that it enters. The cover (1) is only provided with the valve and the safety valve. In the lower part of the reservoir, a screw-in outlet is provided to receive the lance cord (50) or the quick coupling (72) of this cord. The reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) can be translucent to allow the user to view the state of its filling. In the example of FIG. 7A, a threaded member (71) is placed at one end of the bead (50) and makes it possible to fix the spraying means (5, 50) by simply screwing onto a fitting (R) provided on The reservoir. This external connection (R) is for example part of the molding of the tank body, with a thread, to allow to receive the supply of the spray means (5, 50). In the variant of FIG. 7B, a crossed quick coupling or the like connection makes it possible to fasten, an attachment element (73) being provided for connecting the supply pipe or cord (50).

A quick coupling device provides the sealed connection to a pressurized air transfer pipe or other means of air supply. The valve is disposed intermediate between a lower passage for supplying air to a reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) and an upper air intake passage. The quick coupling device is compact (see Figures 1 and 7), the valve being located for example substantially in the plane of the lid when the device is mounted on the lid. The quick connector makes it easy and quick to connect and disconnect the male end to a transfer hose, for example flexible, from a compressor (6).

This quick coupling comprises sealing means to allow tight insertion of the device in the first passage channel (20). A connecting part of the device, for example male, extending towards the top of the lid, fits into the opening of the transfer pipe. In a variant, said connecting portion is female and a male part of a connection piece, mounted on one end of the transfer pipe, fits into the female connection part. In the embodiment of Figure 1, a compressor pump device (6) is used to inject a gas into the tank via a connecting pipe (60) connected to the valve (2) disposed on the lid body (1). The valve is of the single type inflation valve identical to that used for vehicle tires. It can be embedded in the body of the cover (1) similarly to a tire valve in a car rim. This valve (2) can also be screwed into the body of the lid (1). Receiving means (25) for a connecting pipe (60) are provided to allow a tight connection. The pressure in the tank (21, 22, 23), for example of the order of 3-4 bar, can be obtained as indicated above (electric or thermal compressor, gas cartridge, mechanical pump ... ).

To allow secure filling, a safety valve (3) is also attached to the lid body (1). A second channel (30) is provided in the cover body (1) for this valve (3) to release air or other gas contained in the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) in case of overpressure. The pressurizing safety valve type member is disposed on the top of the lid body (1) and enters said second channel (30). The operating threshold of the safety valve (3) may be greater than 3 bar, for example of the order of 4 bar, favoring a better spray performance. Other thresholds may be considered, depending on the spraying applications. The valve (3) can be of the adjustable type to adjust this threshold. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid body (1) is in one piece and obtained by molding a plastic material for example. The thickness of the lid body (1) is sufficient to withstand pressures equal to or greater than 3 bar. This thickness can be determined according to the pressures envisaged for the spraying.

In the example of FIG. 1, a fastener constituting the supply connection (4) is also fixed on the upper part (10) of the cover body (1), for example in the extension of the third channel ( 40), to allow the connection of the spraying means (5, 50). This fixing member may consist of a quick connector for hose or similar anchor button for connecting a spray lance (5). Any type of fastener allowing a tight flow of the liquid under pressure can naturally be envisaged. The spraying means (5, 50) consist of a lever or trigger type spray lance (5) provided in a spray gun (50). The supply of pressurized spraying liquid is allowed by a supply pipe (41) extending over a predetermined length between the third channel (40) of the lid body (1) and the bottom of the tank (21, 22). , 23, 24). This supply pipe (41) thus makes it possible to bring the liquid towards the spraying means (5, 50) until the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) is emptied. In one embodiment of the invention, the supply pipe (41) may be provided at its free end with a filter element (42). The supply pipe (41) can be removably attached to the lid body. It is naturally conceivable to provide a set of several feed pipes (41) of different length to accommodate different depths of tanks (23, 24, Figure 5). Otherwise, as illustrated in FIG. 1, (at the height of the tanks (21, 22) can be constant so that a single supply pipe (41) is preserved and thus avoid the operations of changing the supply pipes.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the three elements formed by the pressurizing valve (2), the safety valve (3) and the supply connection is fixed integrally, but removably, to the body of the cover (1). It should be noted that the pressurizing valve (2) and the safety valve (3) are directly mounted on the flat part of the lid body (1). Disassembly of these elements (2, 3) is easy and the shape of the lid remains simple.

However, another preferred embodiment relating to the connection of the spraying means (5, 50) consists of either directly screwing the assembly to a lower part of the tank, or via a quick coupling (72) screwed itself. even on a lower part of the tank (FIGS. 7A and 7B) The invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

The outer shape of the lid body may be octagonal or other suitable shape to facilitate gripping and unscrewing the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24). By way of example, the characteristic dimension (D) of the lid body (1) can be of the order of 10 to 20 cm. The shape of the lid body (1) is for example octagonal or round with grooves for hand grip. For a regular octagonal shape, the dimension of a side is for example of the order of 2-4 cm. As shown in Figure 3, the cover body (1) has in its lower part a circular lateral portion (11) fitting the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24). Alternatively, another form may be provided for the lower part of the lid body (1), the closure can be made by clipping or using other known fastening means.

With reference to FIG. 4, sealing washers (14), for example made of teflon, rubber or other suitable material, are used to seal around the passage channels (30, 40, possibly 20) corresponding to the safety valve (3) and the supply connection (4) to which spraying means (5, 50) are connected as well as the pressurizing valve (2) if the latter is not recessed. The tightening of these washers (14) can be provided by screw-nut systems or any other suitable clamping means. The dimensions of the passage channels (20, 30, 40) may be identical, so that the positions of the different elements coming to be fixed on the cover body (1) are interchangeable. The distribution of these elements can be symmetrical to facilitate the assembly. The spacing may be the same between the different passage channels (20, 30, 40).

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the lid body (1) comprises on said lateral portion (11) one or more ventilation holes (13) intended to balance the pressures between the inside and the outside of the tank. (21, 22, 23, 24) when unscrewing the lid (1). Bores are made substantially at the base of the lid body (1) for allow a decrease in pressure if the user inadvertently operates unscrewing while the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) is still under pressure.

One of the advantages of the lid according to the invention lies in its adaptability and simplicity of design, allowing it to be used with standard tanks. Referring to Figure 6, the lid (1) fits tanks (26) of 20 L and more. The sprayer formed by the combination of the lid (1), a compressor (6) and a tank, allows the user to choose the appropriate tank, using for example a trolley with wheels ( 7) or equivalent mobile support for the tanks (26) of large capacity.

Another advantage of the invention is to allow obtaining simple sprayers filling and use without effort to the extent that the pressurization is obtained by a small compressor (with accumulators for example for autonomy) connected to the tire valve integral with the lid to ensure the internal pressurization of the tank. The improved lid also makes accessible the most sensitive parts, which can easily be cleaned or replaced.

In addition the removal of the hand pump that enters the body of the sprayer, replaced by the tire valve on the lid, results in a gain in volume in the tank.

Still, the use of a small electric compressor connected to the tire valve allows a higher pressurization, that it would not be possible to obtain with the manual pump because of the force required, and one thus obtains better spray performance. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1 lid (1) for portable multi-tank spraying system adapted particularly for gardening activities, provided with a fluid supply system for a tank (21, 22, 23, 24) of a sprayer, having a cover body (1) having fastening means (12) for removably closing a reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) and at least two fluid passage channels (20, 30) , a first passage channel (20) being provided for a pressurizing member (2) of the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) integral with the cover body (1) and a second channel (30) being provided for a valve safety device (3) integral with the cover body (1), a third channel (40) being able to be provided for supplying the spraying means of the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) integral with the body of the cover (1) characterized in that the pressurizing member (2) and the safety valve (3) are each releasably secured to the body of the aperture (1), the pressurizing member (2) comprising a valve disposed in a quick coupling device.

The lid (1) according to claim 1, wherein the quick coupling device comprises a male or female connection for sealing connection to a transfer pipe and is inserted into the first passage channel (20) by means of sealing insertion between the top and the bottom of the lid (1), the quick coupling device comprising an upper air intake passage and allowing to bring air into a tank (21, 22, 23, 24) .

3 cover (1) according to claims 1 to 2, wherein the pressurizing member (2) associated with the first channel (20) for pressurizing the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) is of the type tire valve and is recessed as in a vehicle rim or screwed tightly into the body of the cover (1). 4 Lid (1) according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressurizing member (2) is associable with a pressurizing means of the compressor type or equivalent.

5 Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a member of pressurizing safety valve type (3) integral with the body of the lid, sealingly and removably attached to said lid body (1), penetrates this last by the second channel (30).

6 Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a third channel (40) is provided for the supply of spraying means (5, 50) of type quick coupling for connecting a hose or gun spraying, by a supply connection (4) integral with the cover body (1), sealingly and removably attached to the body of the cover (1).

The lid (1) according to claims 1 and 6, wherein the lid is provided with a fluid supply system comprising a supply pipe (41) which extends over a predetermined length between the third channel (40) ) and the bottom of a tank to bring the liquid to the spraying means (5, 50), the supply pipe (41) being provided at its free end with a filter element (42). 8 cover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body of the lid (1), monobloc, is flattened and the fastening means (12) for closing a reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) comprise threading means arranged on a circular lateral portion (11) of the cover body (1) and at least one sealing element, as well as on said lateral portion (11) at least one ventilation opening (13) intended for safety balancing the pressures between the inside and the outside of the tank (21, 22, 23, 24) during the unscrewing of the lid (1).

9 A sprayer of the type comprising a monobloc pressure tank, characterized in that it comprises a possible set of interchangeable tanks (21, 22, 23, 24) of different capacity each having a opening of identical dimension provided for the pouring of liquids and a single tank lid (1) comprising fastening means (12) for closing said tank (21, 22, 23, 24), the body (1) of said cover being provided with at least two fluid passage channels, a first passage channel (20) provided for a pressurizing member (2) of the reservoir (21, 22, 23, 24) integral with the cover body, a second channel (30) provided for a safety valve (3) integral with the lid body, and

- a third channel (40) for supplying spraying means (5, 50) via a supply connection (4), each of the three elements formed by the pressurizing member (2), the safety device (3) and the supply connection (4) being removably attached to the lid body (1) which allows them to be replaced;

- A third channel (40 ') located at a lower part of the tank (21, 22, 23, 24), having a threaded connection (R), male or female, outside the tank, molded or welded to the tank body which is adapted to directly receive the supply of spraying means (5, 50) in a sealed manner (71) or indirectly via a quick coupling (72) which is itself fastened to the outlet (R) of the reservoir, all connections allowing said power supply being removable and replaceable.