EP4034304A1

EP4034304A1 - Improved liquid-dispensing backpack

Info

Publication number: EP4034304A1
Application number: EP20785793.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pierre SEUX; Nicolas Mounier; Martine CORBINUS
Original assignee: Axel France
Current assignee: Axel France
Priority date: 2019-09-24
Filing date: 2020-09-09
Publication date: 2022-08-03
Also published as: FR3100996B1; FR3100996A1; WO2021058889A1

Abstract

Fluid-dispensing backpack (1) suitable for dispensing a fluid stored in a fluid reservoir (8), comprising: an electric power supply; a pumping device, the pump being able to be fluidically connected to the reservoir at one end of a fluid supply pipe, the pump having an inlet and an outlet, the fluid being able to be pumped from the reservoir into the pumping device via the supply pipe and the inlet and being able to be pumped out of the pumping device via the outlet; a dispensing tube fluidically connected to the outlet of the pumping device and being able to be used to pass fluid therethrough. The supply pipe is provided at its other end with a first, male or female, element of a quick-coupling-type connection for fluid.

Description

IMPROVED LIQUID DISPENSER BACKPACK

Technical area

The present invention relates to a novel transportable fluid dispenser suitable for dispensing a fluid. It also relates to a method of converting a transportable fluid dispenser of known type.

State of the prior art

There are several types of transportable fluid dispensers to dispense a wide variety of fluids in many applications.

Such portable dispensers can for example be fluid sprayers used to apply a fluid to surfaces or objects, for example to spray water, fertilizer, pesticide, cleaning fluid, paint, chemical. lacquer and any other fluid.

In some cases, these portable fluid sprayers are designed to be carried by a user from one location to another depending on the needs of a project. Portable fluid sprayers can be carried by a user, for example on a user's back in the form of a backpack.

Some conventional backpack sprayers are hand pump sprayers, while other conventional sprayers are powered (for example by battery power or other power source via a power cord to a power source). power supply).

Electric backpack sprayers typically include a reservoir having an internal chamber for containing fluid, a pump operable to pump fluid from the reservoir, a power device (such as a battery or circuit suitable for connection. electric) connected to the pump to supply the pump, and a conduit connected to the outlet of the pump for passing the fluid from the pump to a distribution nozzle connected to one end of the conduit.

In particular, the spray device described in international application WO2005007558A2 is known.

Document US 2019/118203 describes a fluid spraying backpack consisting of two reservoirs: the first being able to contain a diluent, the second being able to contain a concentrated product. The second reservoir is removable and can be detached from the bag and from the first reservoir and fluidly connected with the first reservoir by means of a quick connector. This reservoir is a solid reservoir which must be cleaned when the concentrated product is caused to change. This operation can be dangerous because the products are highly concentrated and can be harmful.

A very specific application is to lubricate runners at a railway track switch, using a special grease. The grease is very liquid, biodegradable, and contains soap and oil. The reservoir containing the grease must therefore be cleaned after each use, which can create risks for the user who can get dirty or receive a few drops of fluid on the skin. Cleaning is also costly and time consuming.

In addition, depending on the contents of the liquid dispenser tank, the tank should be sent to a special industrial waste system.

Disclosure of the invention

One aim of the invention is in particular to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid dispenser backpack suitable for dispensing a fluid stored in a fluid reservoir, comprising:

• an electric power supply, for example an electric battery, for example removable to be recharged, or else a conventional electric power supply;

A pumping device, for example an electric pump supplied with energy by said electric power supply, said pump being able to be fluidly connected to said reservoir at one end of a fluid supply pipe, said pump having an inlet and an outlet, the fluid being pumpable from the reservoir into said pumping device via said supply pipe and said inlet and being able to be pumped out of said pumping device via said outlet;

• a distribution tube in fluid connection with the outlet of the pumping device and which can be used to pass fluid therethrough.

According to the invention, the supply pipe is provided at its other end with a first element, male or female, with a connection of the quick coupling type for fluid, the first element preferably being arranged to cooperate with a second element of the connection present on the fluid reservoir.

According to one possibility, the transportable dispenser may include a front shell arranged to receive the power supply and the pumping device, and a rear shell forming a housing arranged to receive the fluid reservoir in a removable manner.

The other end of the inlet pipe can open into an internal cavity formed by the rear shell. The dispenser may be provided with a window in an outer wall of the rear shell, preferably at the level of the first element of the connection.

The dispenser may further include a means for dispensing, for example lance, of fluid arranged to be connected at one end to a liquid dispensing nozzle.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is proposed a bag (of the DOYPACK® type) provided with a connecting element (21) for quick coupling for fluid suitable for being fluidly connected to a liquid dispenser backpack according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a kit is provided comprising:

• a distributor according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements,

• a knowledge of the second aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of converting a transportable fluid dispenser suitable for dispensing a fluid and having a reservoir as well as a pumping device comprising an inlet connected to one end of a fluid supply pipe which is itself connected to said reservoir at another end, comprising a step of placing at the other end of said supply pipe of a first connection element, male or female, of the quick coupling type for fluid and a step of creating a window in the reservoir at said first connection element.

The fluid-dispensing backpack according to the invention can be used to receive a particular grease, for example to lubricate runners at the level of a railway track switch. Another application of the invention, in particular when the connector is a quick connector of CMB type, is in the field of the food industry. All parts are approved for use in this field.

Description of figures

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, with regard to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic rear perspective view of a system according to the invention,

- Figure 2 shows a functional diagram of the system shown in Figure 1,

- Figure 3 illustrates the insertion of a bag according to the invention in a backpack according to the invention,

- Figure 4 schematically shows a front perspective view of the system shown in Figure 1.

Description of embodiment

Since the embodiments described below are in no way limiting, it is in particular possible to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described, subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient. to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one characteristic, preferably functional without structural details, or with only part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. .

In the figures, an element appearing in several figures retains the same reference.

Referring to the figures, an embodiment of a portable fluid dispenser 1 implementing the present invention is illustrated. The dispenser 1 can be designed to be worn and / or carried by a user, and can be fed or operated by hand using any conventional hand pump. The dispenser 1 can dispense a variety of fluids, such as liquids or semi-liquids, for example, from water, pesticide, fertilizer, cleaning fluid, paint, lacquer, or any other suitable fluid, in various ways, such as, for example, constant flow, dispersed spray, fog and / or in any other way.

The dispenser 1 illustrated in the figures and described in more detail below is presented by way of example only to illustrate and describe the various features and elements of the present invention. In this regard, it should be noted that other embodiments of the present invention may employ any number of features and elements illustrated in the figures and described in more detail below.

Referring to the figures, the example of a dispenser 1 is designed to be worn by a user. Although the dispenser can be designed to be worn by any area of a user's body, the illustrated dispenser is designed to be worn on a user's back. To this end, the dispenser 1 may comprise a front shell 2 which can be positioned on the user's back to support the dispenser 1. The front shell 2 in the illustrated embodiment is connected to a rear shell 3 of the dispenser 1, and can comprising upper straps 4 and lower straps 5 engaging upper strap supports (not shown) and lower strap supports (not shown).

The front shell 2 can be provided with a foam plate 6 to which one or more of the straps 4, 5 are connected. The foam plate 6 can thus distribute the weight of the dispenser 1 through the straps 4, 5.

The rear shell 3 defines an internal cavity 7 in which a bag 8 can be received and stored, and an opening 9 through which the bag can be placed in the rear shell 3 or removed from the rear shell 3. The opening 9 is located in an upper wall of the rear shell 3.

Windows 10 and 11 are formed on an outer surface of the front shell 3 so that the level of fluid contained in the bag 8 can be observed. Instead of the windows, transparent plastics can be placed on these surfaces to prevent seepage. touch the knowledge.

The dispenser 1 is also provided with a reservoir cover 12 which can be selectively used to close the rear shell 3 above the opening 9, the tank cover 12 is of complementary shape and is dimensioned to cooperate with the opening 9, and can take any shape.

The front shell 2 defines a battery receptacle 13 in a front surface thereof. The dispenser also includes a battery 14 removably connected to the front shell 2. Battery 14 is an 18 volt high capacity battery. However, battery 14 can be any type of battery that can be used to efficiently power dispenser 1. The battery 14 can have a size of 120 mm by 70 mm by 80 mm. According to one variant, the front shell 2 can define an electrical interface so that the electrical systems making up the distributor are directly supplied by a permanent electrical supply. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 14 is removably connected to the front shell, preferably by means of a specific MILWAUKEE® type engagement. Alternatively, the battery 14 can be mounted in another way, such as, for example, by one or more fasteners (screws, bolts, clamps, pins and the like).

As shown in Figure 2, the distributor 1 further comprises a pumping device 15, here an electric pump driven by an electric motor 16. The electric motor 16 is supplied with energy by the battery 14.

The pump 15 is fluidly connected to the bag 8 and has an inlet 17 and an outlet 18. The pump may for example have a footprint of 190 mm by 90 mm.

A quick connector closes both ends of the line preventing liquid from escaping when the connector is disconnected. A connector of this type typically has a sleeve, a male part and a female part. When the fitting is to be mated, the sleeve is pulled back and the male part is pushed into the female part. When uncoupling, the sleeve is pulled back so that it unlocks the fitting and allows the ends of the pipe to be closed. For example, valves can be returned by springs and are placed in the female and male parts which are in cooperation when the fitting is coupled so that the pipe is then opened and, when the fitting is uncoupled, the valves come to cooperate with seats formed in the female and male parts. The quick couplings targeted by the invention can also be of the “push-pull” type or of the CMB type (for CMB Schankanlagen Gmbh) provided with a seal on the male part to ensure tightness.

To this end, the bag is provided with a first element 21 for connection 20, respectively of the male or female part type, while the end 19 arranged to be connected to the bag is provided with a second element 22, respectively. of the female or male part type, cooperating with the first element 21 for the connection 20.

As can be better seen in Figure 3, the pipe 19 opens into a lower part of the internal cavity 7 of the rear shell 3. A window F is arranged on an outer surface of the rear shell 3 to allow manipulation of the rear shell. connection 20 to couple to, or to disconnect from, pipe 19.

The pumping device 15 further comprises a pressure switch, not shown, arranged to drive the pump when the pressure is lower than a predetermined maximum value, for example 4.2 bars. When the maximum predetermined value is reached, the pump is no longer driven. When the current value is less than a predetermined minimum value, for example 1.9 bar, the pump is driven. Also, the operating pressure is between the minimum value and the maximum value.

Also, the user of the distributor 1 only needs to connect the bag 8 to the pipe 19 in order to be able to distribute the liquid on the appropriate surface. This prevents him from having to handle potentially dangerous liquid to fill a tank. When the bag is finished, because it is empty, the user can remove the bag and put in another: there is no need to clean the tank.

When the bag 8 is removed from the connector, there is no liquid flowing, either on the bag side or on the connector side.

The bag can be hung on the cover 12 by means of a hook C.

The pipe 19 is itself fluidly connected to the inlet 17 of the pump by means of another connector 23, for example of the hydraulic quick coupling type, but not necessarily.

The fluid can be pumped from the bag 8 into said pumping device 15 via the inlet 17 and can be pumped out of the pumping device 15 via the outlet 18. The outlet 18 is itself connected, by means of a connector 24 to a pipe 25, which is connected to a connection interface 26 arranged on an outer surface of the front shell 2 or of the rear shell 3.

The connection interface 26 is itself connected, by means of a pipe 27 and a connector 28, to a lance 29 having a dispensing nozzle 30 at its end. The connector 28, preferably of the push-pull type, allows the user to free himself from the lance 29, in an emergency situation, if the latter gets stuck. This may be the case when a track switch is moved and traps the lance, while a train is arriving at the same time.

The dispensing nozzle 30 can be replaced by a spray nozzle. The lance can be provided extensible, for example from 78 cm to 125 cm.

The dispensing nozzle 30 is provided with a control means, not shown, of the push type.

In a rest position of the control means 31, the flow of liquid pressurized by the pump 15 is blocked. In another position in which the pusher is pressed against a spring, the flow of liquid pressurized by the pump 15 can flow towards the dispensing nozzle 30.

The dispenser further comprises a re-priming device, not shown. The priming device comprises a valve arranged on the lance 30. It is designed to avoid having to re-prime the pump when one completes one bag and one has another. This avoids having to squeeze the bag. Note that the pump is re-primed without touching the liquid.

Once empty, the bag can be sent to a general industrial waste system, unlike the tanks of state-of-the-art devices that were to be sent to a special industrial waste system.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the different characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Claims

1. Fluid dispenser backpack (1) suitable for dispensing fluid stored in a fluid reservoir (8), comprising:

- a power supply (14);

- a pumping device (15, 16), said pump being capable of being fluidly connected to said reservoir at one end of a supply pipe (19) for fluid, said pump having an inlet (17) and an outlet (18), the fluid being pumpable from the reservoir into said pumping device via said supply pipe and said inlet and being able to be pumped out of said pumping device via said outlet;

- a distribution tube (25) in fluid connection with the outlet of the pumping device and which can be used to pass fluid therethrough; characterized in that

- the supply pipe is provided at its other end with a first element (22), male or female, with a connection (20) of the hydraulic quick coupling type and,

- the fluid reservoir is of the flexible bag type.

2. Fluid dispenser backpack according to claim 1, comprising a front shell (2) arranged to receive the power supply (14) and the pumping device (15, 16), and a rear shell (3) forming a housing. arranged to receive the fluid reservoir (8) in a removable manner.

3. Fluid dispenser backpack according to claim 2, wherein the other end of the supply pipe (19) opens into an internal cavity (7) formed by the rear shell (3) and in which it is provided with 'a window (F) in an outer wall of the rear shell (3).

4. Fluid dispenser backpack according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dispensing means (for example lance) of fluid (29) arranged to be connected at one end to a nozzle (30) for dispensing liquid. .

5. Fluid reservoir (8) of flexible bag type, characterized in that it is provided with a connecting element (21) for hydraulic quick coupling suitable for being fluidly connected to a fluid dispenser backpack according to any of the preceding claims.

6. Kit comprising:

- a fluid dispenser backpack (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

- a fluid reservoir (8) according to claim 5.

7. A method of converting a fluid dispenser backpack suitable for dispensing a fluid stored in a fluid reservoir, comprising an electrical power supply, a pumping device, said pump being adapted to be fluidly connected to said reservoir at the level. from one end of a fluid supply pipe, said pump having an inlet and an outlet, fluid being pumpable from the reservoir into said pumping device via said supply pipe and said inlet and being pumpable out of said pumping device via said outlet and a distribution tube in fluid connection with the outlet of the pumping device and capable of being used to pass fluid therethrough, characterized in that it comprises a step of placing in place level with the other end of said supply pipe, a first male or female member, of a quick coupling type connection for fluid.

8. Method according to the preceding claim, further comprising a step of creating a window in the reservoir at said first connection element.