GB2461522A - A device for storing, transporting and ejecting liquid under pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for storing, transporting and ejecting liquid under pressure comprising a spherical liquid containing reservoir 5 connected to a hose 2 that allows water to pass into and out of the reservoir. When the reservoir is compressed by the user applying pressure to the reservoir e.g, via their hand, foot or by sitting on the reservoir, dependent upon the size of the ball, liquid is ejected from the reservoir. The device may be used to apply liquid to be sprayed on to a garden, car or to be used as a fun child's toy. The length of the hose and volume of the reservoir may be variable. The reservoir and the hose may be constructed as a single unit, and may be made from a polymer or similar material that is tough, flexible and impermeable to water. The end of the hose has an ejection and filling nozzle 1 and standard hose fitments can he attached to the nozzle.

Description

Garden Wet-Ball: This invention relates to a device for containing, transporting and ejecting liquid under the force of gravity.

Conventional watering cans will carry approximately 5-10 litres of water and require that they are picked up and carried to the watering site. This poses a varying likelihood of injury depending on the age of user. The Garden Wet Ball allows for a larger quantity of water to be stored and requires no lifting to move. Depending on the Garden Wet Ball's size it can be pushed, pulled or rolled into position. Minimising the stresses imposed on the user and the likelihood of injury.

Furthermore, rather than requiring the user to lean over under strain, as with a heavy watering can, once at the watering site the Garden Wet Ball will send a jet or spray of water to the desired location through it's hose. The jet is facilitated by one of three methods depending on the quantity of water inside and the capacity of the Garden Wet Ball. Firstly, the weight of the water inside the wet ball will cause an internal water pressure at the hose end, secondly if the wet ball is large enough the user can sit on it to generate more pressure, and finally, if ball is of small volume or almost empty the user can tread on it, to increase the pressure still further.

The Garden Wet Ball is designed with both practicality and environmental issues in mind. The standard hose attachment described later allows it to be refilled in different ways. It can be attached directly to a main or tanked water supply and filled or it could be attached to a rainwater collection channel conserving water. Both refilling methods make the Garden Wet Ball an ideal solution during the routine British summer hosepipe bans; allowing water to be conserved whilst offering a jet of water pressure, suitable to rinse a car, for example.

The paragraphs above describe the Garden Wet Ball's practical function. In addition to this it can be used as a fun child's toy. Involving the child in gardening or simply as a large volume water pistol, the child bouncing on the ball to generate extra pressure and squirt friends.

When empty the Garden Wet Ball compresses into a small space and can therefore be stored easily when not in use.

The Garden Wet Ball is made of a tough and durable Polymer material making it hardwearing and easy to clean.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: Shows the Garden Wet Ball side profile in open state.

Figure 2: Shows the Garden Wet Ball from above in compressed state.

Figure 3: Shows the Garden Wet Ball cut away Section AA side profile in compressed state.

Figure 4: Illustrates the side image of Garden Wet Ball (For illustration purposes).

Figure 5a & 5b: Illustrates volume to hose length ratio (VH Ratio) variations depending on use.

Figure 6: Illustrates the Garden Wet Ball in the empty state.

In Figure 1, the Garden Wet Ball is depicted. The only inlet and outlet for fluid is at the nozzle (1). This nozzle is made from standard components already available. The hose (2) and the hollow sphere (3) are constructed in a single piece from a tough, flexible Polymer. Section A shows a cut away through the sphere. The radius and wall thickness (4) are variable according to the required volume of the reservoir (5).

Figure 2 is a view of the Garden Wet Ball from above once filled with water and illustrates the cut through Section AA depicted in Figure 3 and the standard nozzle fitments (1).

Figure 3 illustrates a point in time during the operation of the Garden Wet Ball. Force is applied (6) to the ball as a result of gravity acting against the weight of the contained liquid or from an outside influence such as the users foot. When the nozzle (1) is closed, there is a pressure build up in the liquid (7) inside the reservoir (5), when the nozzle is opened this pressure tends to reduce via the evacuation of liquid through the nozzle. Hence a jet is formed.

Figure 4 shows a graphical illustration of how the Garden Wet Ball will look in practise. Figure 5a illustrates the Garden Wet Ball with a low reservoir volume/hose length ratio. Figure 5b is an example of the Garden Wet Ball with a high reservoir volume/hose length ratio.

Figure 6 illustrates how the Garden Wet Ball will look when it is deflated, empty of liquid and in the compressed state, as it would be in preparation for storage.

Claims (5)

1. Claims: 1. A Garden Wet Ball comprising a tough, durable and flexible liquid containing sphere with a single inlet and outlet hose allowing the liquid to be passed back and forth.
2. 2. A Garden Wet Ball according to claim 1, in which the inlet and outlet hose length is variable.
3. 3. A Garden Wet Ball according to claim 1, in which the sphere volume and sphere wall thickness are variable.
4. 4. A Garden Wet Ball according to claim 1, in which the sphere and hose are constructed in a single piece.
5. 5. A Garden Wet Ball according to claim 1, in which the material used is a Polymer, or similar material, which is tough, flexible and impermeable to water.