GB2312202A - A liquid dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The liquid dispensing device (50) comprises an elongate body of circular cross section tube (52) which defines a reservoir for liquid to be dispensed. A handle (56, figure 2) is defined at one end of the tube and a valve 54 is located at its other end. The valve (54) is openable by pushing the valve end against the ground. Dosing means is provided to dispense a dose of liquid on actuation of the valve (54). In a preferred embodiment the dispensed liquid is weedkiller.

Description

A LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE The invention relates to a liquid dispensing device.

A known liquid dispensing device is a watering can.

Where it is desired to kill weeds, the watering can will tend to sprinkle weed killer over a wide area in addition to the weed which it is desired to destroy.

Weed killer is also sold in small spray cans and the user then has to bend down to spray the weed which is to be destroyed, and again try to avoid spraying other plants.

According to the invention there is provided å liquid dispensing device comprising an elongate body, a reservoir for liquid to be dispensed, a handle at one end of the body, a valve at the other end, the valve being openable by the user from the handle end to dispense liquid and dosing means to dispense a dose of liquid on actuation of the valve.

As the user holds the device at one end and dispenses liquid from the other, liquid can be accurately dispensed at ground level, for example weed killer onto a weed to be destroyed, without having to bend down. Also, the correct dose of weed killer is applied, ensuring that the weed is destroyed without jeopardising other plants Preferably, the device is about half the height of a person. The device may thus be 600 to 1000mm in length and preferably is 750 to 850mm in length.

The reservoir is preferably inside the elongate body and in a preferred embodiment the reservoir extends over substantially the length of the body.

The device may be arranged to be filled from the valve end and the valve may thus be removably mounted. The valve end of the device may include a funnel shaped part to guide liquid into the reservoir. The device may include a measure so that a user can add a measure of concentrate, such as weed killer, to water. Where the valve is removably mounted, the measure may form part of the removable valve section. The valve may be removably mounted so as to be removed by a twisting action or by a squeezing and pulling action. The valve mounting means may comprise a tab to be received in an aperture in the funnel shaped part.

The valve may be openable in any suitable way and may be openable by using the handle to push the lower end of the device against a reaction surface, such as the ground. The valve may take any suitable form and may comprise a seal which can be raised from a seat to open the valve. The gap on opening the valve may be between 7.5mmt and 17.5mmz, preferably between 10mum: and 15.5mm2, most preferably 12.5mm2 to 14mm2.

The dosing means may take any suitable form and preferably includes a chamber to hold a dose of liquid and a dosing valve or a restriction between the reservoir and the chamber. Where a restriction is provided, the restriction may comprise a small bore pipe. Where a dosing valve is provided, the dosing valve may be arranged to act in unison with the main valve and may be provided fast with the main valve.

The valve may comprise three parts, a plunger, and two parts defining a dosing chamber and forming a seal with the plunger.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the lower end of the device of a first embodiment in partial crosssect ion; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the upper end of the device of the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a side elevation in partial crosssection of a part of the device of the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the part of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an underneath plan view of the part of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is an underneath plan view of a valve part of the first embodiment; Fig. 7 is a side elevation in partial crosssection of the part of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the part of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a side elevation in partial crosssection of a further part of the device of the first embodiment; Fig. 10 is an underneath plan view of the part of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a side elevation in cross-section of a part of the device of a second embodiment; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the handle of the second embodiment; Fig. 13 is a side elevation in cross-section of a further part of the device of the second embodiment; Fig. 14 is an underneath plan view of the part of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a side elevation in cross-section of a further part of the device of the second embodiment; Fig. 16 is an underneath plan view of the part of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a side elevation in cross-section of a further part of the device of the second embodiment; Fig. 18 is an underneath plan view of a further part of the device of the second embodiment; Fig. 19 is a side elevation in partial crosssection of a part of the device of a third embodiment; Fig. 20 is an underneath plan view of another part of the device of the third embodiment; Fig. 21 is a side elevation in partial crosssection of a further part of the device of the third embodiment; Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an optional part of the third embodiment; Fig. 23 is a side elevation in partial crosssection of a part of the device of a fourth embodiment; Fig. 24 is an underneath plan view of another part of the device of the fourth embodiment; and Fig. 25 is a fragmentary side elevation of a further part of the device of the fourth embodiment.

The device 50 of the first embodiment comprises a circular cross-section tube 52 having a valve 54 at its lower end shown in Fig. 1 and a handle 56 on its upper end shown in Fig. 2.

The handle 56 is in the form of an elongate cup shaped cap which fits over the end of the tube 52. The handle 56 is broadened to form a knob 58 at the upper end of the device.

A funnel part 60 is made from elastomeric material and includes a cylindrical upper section 62 which is resiliently received over the lower end of the tube 52. The lower end 64 of the funnel part 60 broadens as a cone and is connected to the cylindrical upper section 62 through a shoulder 61. At the lower end of the cylindrical upper section 62 on the inner surface is provided a short, resilient, inwards annular element 63 which is tapered to its end. The lower periphery of the frusto-conical part 64 mounts a concentric circular part 66 through connections 68.

The circular part 66 is interrupted at opposed positions. At each break in the circular part 66, the upper surface 70 is tapered downwards towards the break.

A mounting part 72 is mounted on the funnel part 60.

The mounting part includes two outwardly extending oppositely disposed flanges 74 which exhibit mirror symmetry. Each flange 74 includes a downwardly extending lobe 76 adjacent the end and to one side of the flange 74, the lobes 76 being substantially rectangular with rounded lower corners and being elongate along the side of the flange 74. Each flange 74 further includes a substantially rectangular aperture 78 centrally arranged adjacent its end. Each flange 74 further includes an upstanding wall 80 at its end which is the same width as the flange 74.

Each wall 80 mounts an inwardly extending projection 82 which is narrower than the width of the flange 74 and substantially rectangular in shape extending parallel to the flange and having rounded corners.

From the flanges 74, the mounting part 72 extends inwardly and upwardly as a circular cross-section tube 84 which narrows at a shoulder 86 to a further section 88 and narrows at another shoulder 90 to a further section 92. Within the uppermost section 92 a septum 94 is provided across the cross-section of the section 92. A tube 96 is defined by a part circular tubular wall 97 parallel to and intersecting the wall of the section 92 from the uppermost edge of the mounting part 72 to the septum 94 in which an aperture is defined adjacent the end of the tube 91. Six equispaced triangular ribs 98 extend from the wall of the section 92 to the underside of the septum 94 to strengthen and support the septum 94 and to locate the spring 116.

At the shoulder 86 is provided a short annular projection 100 which forms a continuation of the section 84 beyond the shoulder 86. The tapered element 63 extending from the cylindrical upper section 62 forms a seal against the further section 88.

The mounting part 72 is mounted by the funnel part 60.

The section 92 is received within the tube 52 and the annular projection 100 rests against the first part of the frusto-conical part 64. The flanges 74 are arranged adjacent the breaks in the circular part 66 so that the projections 82 overlap the circular part 66. The mounting part 72 is then rotated so that the projections 82 retain the mounting part 72 on the funnel part 60 by means of the circular part 66 with the projections 82 riding up the ramp surfaces 70.

A valve plunger 102 is mounted in a retaining part 104. The retaining part 104 includes a tubular part arranged to fit closely within the lower tubular section 84 of the mounting part 72 and connected by a radially extending annular connecting part 108 to a cylindrical main body of a smaller cross-section than the section 88 of the mounting part 72 which extends substantially from the shoulder 90 of the mounting part 72 to adjacent the flanges 74. The plunger 102 is hollow being open at its upper end which includes a widened head 112 which rests through an 0-ring seal 114 on the upper end of the retaining part 104. A helical spring 116 acts in compression between the head 112 and the septum 94 of the mounting part 72.

The main part of the plunger 102 is in the form of a cylindrical tube having six equi-spaced outwards axial ribs 120. An end wall 118 seals the end of the plunger 102 which extends well beyond the ends of the projections 76.

In use, the mounting part 74 is untwisted and removed and the device 50 is inverted. A liquid to be dispensed such as weed killer can then be poured into the main tube 52 with the funnel part 60 acting as a funnel. Where the weed killer is provided in concentrated form, the cup formed by the septum 94 and the wall of the section 92 and bore 96 may be sized to receive a suitable amount of concentrate to be mixed with a volume of water in the tube 52 acting as a reservoir. Once the liquid has been poured into the tube, the mounting part 72 is re-fitted together with the retaining part 104 and plunger 102. To kill weeds, the end of the plunger 102 is placed on the weed and downwards pressure is applied by means of the handle 56. This pushes the plunger back against the bias of the helical spring 116 and opens a passageway past the head 112 between the ribs 120 for weed killer. The small bore 96 limits the flow of liquid from the reservoir so that a volume of liquid substantially equal to the volume of the region between the septum 94 and the head 112 of the plunger 102 is dispensed. This region or dosing chamber gradually re-fills by flow through the bore 96 while the next weed is located and the end of the plunger placed upon it. A cap 122 may be provided in the form of a blind tube arranged to fit over the inner wall 110 of the retaining part 104 and rest against the connecting part 108 without touching the plunger 102 so that when the cap 122 is in place liquid cannot be dispensed.

The device 150 of the second embodiment again comprises a circular cross-section tube 152 having a valve 154 at its lower end and a handle 156 on its upper end.

The handle 156 has a first tubular part 157 and the upper part 158 is offset with one side 155 being parallel to the axis of the tubular part and the other side 151 being curved upwardly away from the axis of the tubular part, the upper part 158 having a flat upper surface 159 which slopes downwardly to the parallel side 155. This presents a larger area for palm of the user's hand to push down on in use of the device 150.

The funnel part 160 is made from elastomeric material and includes a cylindrical upper section 162 which is resiliently received over the lower end of the tube 152. The lower end 164 of the funnel part 160 broadens as a cone. The lower periphery of the frusto-conical part 164 leads to a depending circular skirt 167. At the junction between the frusto-conical part 164 and the upper section 162, a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 169 is provided on which at its inner end is provided a slim, resilient, upstanding continuous circular wall 171. Eight equispaced axial splines 172 are provided on the inner wall of the upper section 162 and extend from the shoulder 169 to just above the level of the wall 171.

The splines 172 prevent bowing of the upper section 162 and limit the engagement of the tube 152 into upper section 162. (Full engagement would interfere with the function of the seal wall 171 as the tube 152 would expand the diameter of the upper section 162 to which the seal wall 171 is mounted.) At two opposed positions on the funnel part 160 the skirt 167 includes a downwardly extending tab 173 defining thereabove a circumferentially extending channel 175 which at one end is diverted at an angle towards and intersecting the lower edge of the skirt 167.

A lower part 177 is mounted by the skirt 167 and a mounting part 179. The lower part 177 includes an outwardly extending tab 181 which is arranged to be received in the groove 175 in the skirt 167. The tab 181 extends from an annular part 183 which mounts a depending part 185 just in front of the tab 181 and an upstanding part 187 just in front of the depending part 185. The tab 181 and upstanding part 187 are connected by a triangular radial web 189 in an axial plane. Two arms 182 extend from the annular part 183 and an axially extending plate 184 is mounted between the ends of the arms 182. The plate 184 is curved so as to lie on a notional cylinder concentric with the longitudinal axis of the device 150. Radially inwards of the upstanding part 187 is provided a hooked part 191 which has an inwardly hooked end 193. Radially inwards of the upstanding hooked part 191 is an upstanding circular wall 195 which is slightly larger in diameter and co-axial with the upper section of the funnel part 160. The final part mounted on the annulus 183 is a depending circular wall 197 which depends from the inner edge of the annulus 183. The device 150 is symmetrical about an axial plane through the web 189. Fig. 11 is in two halves with the right hand half being a section through the web 189 and the left hand half being a section at 90" to the web 189.

The mounting part 179 includes a cylindrical cup shaped part 199 which is received within the circular wall 171 of the funnel part 160 to form a seal. The floor 201 of the cup faces upwardly and is apertured 203 to be in fluid communication with the reservoir constituted by the tube 152 which may overlap the cup portion 199 and contact the top of the splines 172.

The cup shaped part 199 is connected by a shoulder 20 to a wider diameter cylindrical part 207 which in turn is connected by a shoulder 209 to a wider diameter cylindrical part 211. The cylindrical part 211 terminates in a barbed end 213. The cylindrical part 211 receives the upstanding part 195 of the lower part 177 as an interference fit to provide liquid tightness. The barbed part 213 is received past the hook 193 of the hooked part 191 which retains the lower part 177 on the mounting part 179.

A valve plunger 215 comprises a slim tube 217 ciosed at its lower end 219. The upper part of the valve plunger 215 is received in the cup 199 of the mounting part 179. Three equi-spaced slots 221 are provided in the upper end of the tubular part 217. Within the tubular part 215, four equi-spaced axial ribs 223 extend inwardly from the wall of the tubular part 215 over about two-thirds of the length of the tubular part 215. A helical spring 225 acts between the ribs 223 and the end surface 201 of the cup shaped part 199 outside the aperture 203. The end of the spring is located around the aperture 203 by triangular ribs 226. An annular shoulder 227 extends about half-way along the length of the tubular part 215 to substantially the width of the depending part 197 of the lower part 177. Eight equi-spaced ribs 229 are provided around the tubular part 215 and extend from the annular part 227 to the lower end of the tubular part 215 and across the closed end 219 of the valve plunger 215, being interrupted centrally of the end 219. The annular shoulder 227 includes an upwardly directed part 231 connected to a further outwardly extending annular part 233 mounting a cylindrical wall 235 which is slidable within the upstanding wall 195 of the lower part 177. The wall 235 includes four equi-spaced slots 237.

In use, in order to fill the device 150, the skirt 167 of the funnel part 160 is squeezed inwards at two diametrically opposite points at quadrature to the webs 189. This distorts the frusto-conical part 164 to the point where the tab 173 disengages from the tabs 181. Holding the lower part 177 at the plates 184 it may then be pulled out of the funnel part 16G.

The liquid to be dispensed, such as weed killer, can then be poured into the main tube 152 with the trusto- conical part 164 acting as a funnel. Once the liquid has been poured into the tube 152, the lower part 177 is presented to the funnel part 160 and pushed back.

into place to be retained. When the device 150 is turned the right way up, liquid will flow through the aperture 203 into the hollow tubular interior of the tubular part 215 and through the slots 221 into the dosing chamber defined between the upper part of the tubular body 215 and the lower part of the mounting part 179 together with the upstanding wall 195 of the lower part 177. Liquid will flow through the slots 237. An 0-ring 239 is provided at this point to prevent seepage. To kill weeds, the end of the plunger 215 is placed on the weed and downwards pressure is applied by means of the handle 156. This pushes the valve plunger 215 back against the bias of the helical spring 225. As the annular part 227 rises above the upper edge of the wall 197, liquid will be able to flow through the gap thus caused and between the ribs 229 to be dispensed onto the weed. As the annular part 227 is lifted above the upper edge of the wall 197, the lower edges of the slots 221 will be approaching the shoulder 205 which will cut off the flow of further fluid from the reservoir into the dosing chamber. In this way a dose consisting of the liquid in the dosing chamber formed between the tubular part 215 and the mounting part 179 will be dispensed.

At the same time as the dose is delivered and as the plunger returns air will enter the dosing chamber and eventually the main reservoir. This prevents a vacuum developing to the extent that a full dose is not delivered.

The tubular part 152 may be transparent so that the contents can be seen. Graduation marks or lettering on the length of the tubular part 152 may be used to provide a measure of the liquid remaining in the reservoir.

The handle 156 may include a loop or aperture to enable the device 150 to be hung up. The parts which must be removed to fill the tube 152 and generally gain access to the interior of the device 150 may be provided with a child resistant closure of any known type. In particular, the squeeze released type of closure may be used such that the conical part 160 must be squeezed to disengage latches enabling the mounting part, plunger and lower part to be removed.

The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment and only the differences from the second embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features.

In the third embodiment, the lower part 177 includes a shorter upstanding part 187 so that the web 189 is of truncated triangular shape. The upstanding circular wall 195 is much taller such that the cylindrical part 211 of the mounting part 179 which receives it almost touches the frusto-conical part 164 of the funnel part 160. This gives the valve plunger 215 a much longer stroke. The cup shaped part 199 is also correspondingly deeper. The helical spring 225 is located this time not by triangular ribs 226, but by a conical indentation 238 axially in the floor 201 of the cup shaped part 199. The axial aperture 203 is replaced by six apertures 240 which are U-shaped at their lower end and extend upwardly to intercept the floor 201 of the cup shaped part 99. The cylindrica part 207 of the mounting part 179 is omitted and the shoulder 205 is sloped upwardly to connect to the cup shaped part 199.

On the valve plunger, four alternate ribs of the eight equi-spaced ribs 229 are extended to meet on the axis of the valve plunger to form a cross. The upwardly directed part 231 of the valve plunger 215 is omitted so that the annular part 227 and further part 233 are continuous. The equi-spaced slots 237 are not provided, but instead the wall 235 includes a clearance diameter of 0.4mm from the upstanding circular wall 195 of the lower part 177. The wall 235 thus has a diameter of 21mm and the upstanding circular wall 195 has a diameter of 21.4mm. The only seal is therefore the O-ring 239.

The cup shaped part 199 has an upwardly facing cylindrical wall 242 extending upwardly from it to define a cup with the floor 201 of the cup shaped part. This cup can be used as a measuring cup te measure a quantity of weed killer to be diluted in water. This is similar to the cup formed by the septum 94 and the wall of the section 92 in the first embodiment.

The device of the third embodiment is used in the same way as the device of the second embodiment.

As an addition to the device of the third embodiment, a childproof and tamper evident cap 244 may be provided. The cap 244 comprises a cup 246 to sit over the plunger 215 and the depending circular wall 197 to abut the annular part 183. Arms 248 are provided connected to the upper edge of the cup 246 and extending in opposite directions as far as the skirt 1O7 with lugs 249 extending up into the skirt 167. In this way, the skirt 167 cannot be squeezed to release the tab 181 and enable the valve assembly to be removed and weed killer to be released or spilt. The cup 244 is locked in position by a hooked arm 250 which engages on the shoulder of the barbed end 23.

Each arm 248 is U-shaped with the base 252 of the U mounting the lug 249 and each limb 254 of the U being connected to the upper edge of the cup at two circumferentially spaced positions 256, each limb terminating in the shape of a spanner head. From the inner edge of the base 252 of the U depends a leg 258 which can be used to break the arm 248 away from the cup 246 at the connections 256. The hooked arm 250 comprises an arch 260 upstanding from and bridging the two limbs 254 with a tab 262 depending at an angle from the arch 260. The cap 244 is prevented from rotating by a key (not shown) on the depending circular wall 197 which is received in a keyway 264 defined in the cup 246. Breaking of the connections 256 provides evidence of tampering. Once the connections 256 have been broken the cup 246 can be used separately as a cover for the plunger 215.

In an alternative embodiment only one arm 248 may be provided.

Figs. 23, 24 and 25 show the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment and only the differences between the two embodiments will be described. The same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features.

In the fourth embodiment, a cylindrical skirt 270 is provided depending from the annular part 227 of the valve plunger 215 having an outer surface of the same diameter as the diameter of the ribs 229 at that position. The O-ring seal 239 thus lies against and resiliently engages the skirt 270 which keeps it in a circular shape. In the fourth embodiment, the O-ring seal resiliently engages the ribs 229 and therefore tends to take up a substantially polygonal shape.

The upstanding circular wall 195 is not provided.

Instead, the cylindrical part 211 of the mounting part 179 is reduced in diameter to produce the same clearance gap as previously but this time between the cylindrical part 211 of the mounting part 179 and the wall 235 of the valve plunger 215. The barbed end 213 is not provided and instead there is a shoulder which passes over the end of the lip 274 of the lower part 177 and an annular wall 277 the mounting part 179 depends further to a terminal outwardly extending flange 276. The lip 274 has a short upstanding wall 278 which forms a contact against the shoulder 272, and a depending wall 280 which connects to the annular part 183 which is at a lower level than in the third embodiment and is connected to the tab 181 by an upwardly extending wall 282. In this way, the dosing chamber is formed solely between the plunger 215 and the mounting part 179. The interference fit between the depending wall 280 and the annular wall 277 of the munting part 179 form a seal. Preferably, an annular inwardly projecting portion 279 is provided on the inner face of the annular wall 277 to co-operate with the depending wall 280 to form a seal.

As shown in Fig. 24, the web 189 is complemented by two further webs 284 provided at substantially 70e to one another and equi-spaced from the web 189 extending to the opposite side of the upstanding part 187.

The skirt 167 of the funnel part 160 is extended to the same depth as the tab 173, and semi-circular ribbed portions 286 are provided as shown in Fig. 26 on opposite sides of the skirt 167 perpendicularly to the tabs 173. These indicate the optimum places to squeeze the skirt 167 to release the valve components.

Claims (26)

1. A liquid dispensing device comprising an elongate body, a reservoir for liquid to be dispensed, a handle at one end of the body, a valve at the other end, the valve being openable by the user from the handle end to dispense liquid and dosing means to dispense a dose of liquid on actuation of the valve.

2. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 in which the reservoir is located inside the elongate body.

3. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2 in which the reservoir extends over substantially the length of the body.

4. A liquid dispensing device according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the device is arranged to be filled from the valve end, the valve being removably mounted.

5. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 4 in which the valve end of the device includes a funnel shaped part to guide liquid into the reservoir.

6. A liquid dispensing device according to any preceding claim in which the device incudes a measure for a liquid concentrate.

7. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 6 and where the valve is removably mounted in which the measure comprises part of the removable valve.

8. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 4 in which the valve is removable by a twisting action.

9. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 4 in which the valve is removable by a squeezing and pulling action.

10. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 5 in which a mounting for the valve comprises a tab to be received in an aperture in the funnel shaped part.

11. A liquid dispensing device according to any preceding claim in which the valve is openable by pushing the valve end against a reaction surface.

12. A liquid dispensing device according to any preceding claims in which the dosing means comprises a chamber to hold a dose of liquid and a restriction between the chamber and the reservoir.

13. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 12 in which the restriction comprises a small bore pipe.

14. A liquid dispensing device according to any of claims 1 to 11 in which the dosing means comprises a chamber to hold a dose of liquid and a dosing valve between the chamber and the reservoir.

15. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 14 in which the dosing valve is arranged to act in unison with the main valve.

16. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 15 in which the dosing valve is fast with the main valve.

17. A liquid dispensing device according to any of claims 14, 15 or 16 in which the dosing valve comprises a plunger and two parts defining a dosing chamber and forming a seal with the plunger.

18. A liquid dispensing device according to any preceding claim in which the main valve comprises a seal which can be raised from a seat to form a gap to open the valve.

19. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 18 in which the gap is between 7.5mm2 and 17.5must in area.

20. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 18 in which the gap is between 10mm2 and 15.5mum2 in area.

21. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 18 in which the gap is between 12.5mum2 and 14mmt in area.

22. A liquid dispensing device according to any preceding claim in which the device is 600 to 1000mm in length.

23. A liquid dispensing device according to any preceding claim in which the device is 750 to 850mm in length.

24. A liquid dispensing device according to any preceding claim in which the liquid to be dispensed is weed killer.

25. A liquid dispensing device according to any of claims 1 to 23 in which the liquid to be dispensed is fertiliser

26. A horticultural liquid dispensing device comprising an elongate body, a reservoir for liquid to be dispensed, a handle at one end of the body, a valve at the other end, the valve being openable by the user from the handle end to dispense liquid and dosing means to dispense a dose of liquid on actuation of the valve.