GB2202425A

GB2202425A - Liquid dispenser for watering

Info

Publication number: GB2202425A
Application number: GB08802017A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William J Reed
Original assignee: Thomas French and Sons Ltd
Current assignee: Thomas French and Sons Ltd
Priority date: 1987-01-29
Filing date: 1988-01-29
Publication date: 1988-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-29
Also published as: GB2202425B; GB8702014D0; GB8802017D0

Abstract

A combined spray and watering can for horticulture, comprises a container 10 fitted with a spray gun 12 having a nozzle 20 and a spout 14 movable between a pouring position 22 and a storage position 18. There may be means for releasably retaining the spout 14 in the storage position 18, and means for limiting the pivotal movement of the spout beyond the pouring position 22. <IMAGE>

Description

LIQUID DISPENSER This invention relates to a container for liquids having means for dispensing the liquid therein by pouring and by spraying.

A horticultural watering device is known which includes a container having a spout and fitted with a spray so that liquid can be optionally poured or sprayed from the container. One of the problems with the known device is that it is designed to operate with the spray directed substantially horizontally. Frequently, however, plants require to be sprayed from directions other than the horizontal. If, to meet that requirement, the device is tilted so that the spray is no longer horizontally directed it may happen that liquid is also dispensed through the spout.

The invention has been made with the above problem in mind.

According to the invention there is provided a container for liquids, spray means for dispensing liquid from the container, a spout for pouring liquid from the container, said spout being movable between a storage position in which the free end of the spout is substantially above the level of the container and a use position in which the free end of the spout is at a lower level and liquid can be poured from the container through said spout.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig.l is a side elevation of a container; Fig.2 is a part section part front elevation of the bottom part of the reservoir, Fig.3 is a section through the spout; and Fig.4 shows how the spout is fitted to the reservoir.

Referring to Fig.l of the drawing the container comprises a reservoir 10 having an integral spray gun 12. Any known mechanism can be used for operating the spray gun and, therefore, such mechanism will not be described further.

A spout 14 is mounted at the bottom front of the reservoir referenced 16, so as to be movable between a storage position referenced 18 where the spout extends upwardly with the free end located just below the nozzle 20 of the spray gun, and a use position referenced 22 where the spout extends forwardly of the reservoir.

The edge 24 of the spout engages against the shoulder 26 on the reservoir thereby limiting the movement of the spout away from the reservoir. The movement of the spout can be limited in other ways.

Referring to Figs.2 to 4 of the drawing the pivotal connection of the spout with the reservoir will now be described. A channel or recess 30 is formed at the bottom of the reservoir. A circular aperture 32 is formed in one side wall of the recess 30. On the opposite side wall boss 34 is provided which is a part circular shape and extends around an arc of about 2800.

The boss has a maximum height above the side wall at about the mid point of the arc as at 36 and progressively diminishing height towards the free ends of the arc forming the boss.

The spout, as shown in Fig.3, comprises a hollow tube 40 open at one end 42 for pouring and closed at the opposite end 44. A circular side entry port 46 is provided adjacent closed end 44. The port is surrounded by a wall 48 whose maximum height is at the part of the wall nearest the pouring end 42 and of decreasing height as the wall extends towards the closed end 44. A circular spigot 49 is formed on the exterior of the tube on the side opposite port 46. A channel 50 is formed in the side wall of the spout just adjacent the exterior of wall 48 for the reception of a sealing ring 52.

In order to fit the spout onto the reservoir the closed end of the spout is pushed into the channel 30 at an angle and in the direction of arrow 60 as shown in Fig.4. This enables the spigot 49 to clear the maximum dimension 36 of the boss 34. The spout is then straightened up so that wall 48 moves inside the aperture 32 and the port 46 in the spout comes into register with aperture 32 in the reservoir. The spout is then pivotably held by the engagement of spigot 49 under boss 34 and the location of wall 48 in the aperture 32. A fluid-tight seal between the reservoir and the spout is maintained by engagement of the sealing ring 52 against the wall of the channel 30 just around the edge of aperture 32.

As can be seen in Fig.l of the drawing when the spout is in the storage position the free end is very much higher than the reservoir. Accordingly even if the device is tilted to enable the spray to be used at angle liquid will not flow from the spout provided the spout is retained in the storage position. A detent or like means can be provided for releasably retaining the spout in the storage position. When the spout is in the use position the free end is at a relatively lower level. Liquid can be poured through the spout by tilting the reservoir.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment. Many variations and modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A container for liquids, spray means for dispensing liquid from the container, a spout for pouring liquid from the container, said spout being movable between a storage position in which the spout is substantially above the container and a use position in which the free end of the spout is at a lower level and liquid can be poured from the container through the spout.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein means are provided for releasably retaining the spout in the storage position.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the spout is pivotally mounted on the container.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid connection between the spout and the container comprises a wall adjacent a port in the spout engageable in an aperture in the wall of the container.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein pivotal connection between the spout and the container comprises a spigot on the spout engageable with a boss on the container.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim and comprising means for limiting the pivotal movement of the spout.

7. A container for liquids, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.