GB2590368A

GB2590368A - A spraying apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2590368A
Application number: GB1918068.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Warren-Davis William
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-10
Filing date: 2019-12-10
Publication date: 2021-06-30
Also published as: GB201918068D0

Abstract

A weed spraying apparatus (1) and method of use are provided. The apparatus comprises a wand comprising; a reservoir (19) and an integrated delivery system comprising a needle that can transport fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle. The apparatus may have a shield (7) which can be conical in shape and may also have a spring (31) for biasing the needle. The reservoir of fluid may also contain and inlet port (11), a pressure release and the tank can be pressurised. The apparatus may also have a handle.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1918068.6 RTM Date:22 May 2020 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: 1-10ZELOCK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo A spravinp apparatus This invention relates to spraying apparatus, and in particular to a weed killer spraying apparatus. However, the invention may also be applicable to other forms of spraying apparatus, such as paint spraying apparatus, for example.

Weeds often appear in areas where they are surrounded by plants that the gardener does not want to harm, e.g. in the middle of a lawn or a densely planted flower bed. Wien a conventional weed sprayer is used in such situations, weed killer inadvertently sprays/drips onto the adjacent lawn or plants the gardener is trying to protect. A traditional method of dealing with this is to hand weed but this is very time consuming and liable to disturb neighbouring plants and even damage their root systems. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a spray applicator which may be triggered by downward pressure onto a shielded nozzle thereby releasing a controlled amount of atomised liquid onto a targeted plant or weed.

Sprayers are well known for use in gardens and the like. Well known pressurized sprayers are available from companies such as Hozelock. Such apparatus incorporate a fluid chamber which can be pressurized via an integrated pump, wherein a pipe or tube communicates with the fluid chamber and enables the fluid, which may be weed killer, to be sprayed via a nozzle at the end of a tube or wand. Part way along the tube or wand is a valve which can be triggered via a finger button or trigger. Such sprayers are in common use and are widely accepted for applying weed killer where necessary in a garden. However, problems can arise due to the unconfined nature of the nozzle when the spray lands on plants or other vegetation which it is not intended to kill, or the spray mist is blown by a breeze or wind on to other vegetation which are not the target of the weed killer. As a result, gardeners can end up killing plants unintentionally.

The present invention aims to provide a weed killer sprayer which confines the application of the weed killer fluid to a desired area, such as the weed itself or its immediate surrounds.

The device is also intended to be easy to use and readily portable.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a wand comprising a reservoir and an integrated delivery mechanism, the delivery mechanism comprising a needle that can transport fluid, such as weed killer, from the reservoir to a nozzle. As far as the applicant is aware, it is not known to have a fluid reservoir, such as for weed killer, integrated in a wand or long tubular device, which also includes an integrated delivery mechanism having a needle through which weed killer can be transported to a nozzle for spraying Preferably a shaped shield located around the nozzle restricts the release of spray into the atmosphere as well as preventing the inadvertent application of weed killer to adjacent plants. The shield is typically conical, but other shapes may also be used depending upon the immediate environment in which the apparatus is to be used. The diameter of the shield is likely to be between two centimetres and six centimetres, preferably about four centimetres. This would enable the apparatus to be used on most weeds in a lawn, for

example.

The nozzle may be formed integrally with the shield.

In an embodiment, the needle communicates with the reservoir via a delivery chamber sealed by 0-rings. The delivery chamber is preferably in communication also with the reservoir, so that fluid can transfer between the reservoir and the delivery chamber. A small aperture is preferably formed in the wall between the reservoir and the delivery chamber.

The reservoir is designed to be pressurized. An inlet port provided into the reservoir can be connected in use to an external pressure source or other chamber in which weed killer may be stored.

By incorporating a delivery chamber, a predetermined volume of weed killer can be expelled in one application. This can result in more efficient use of the weed killer.

In an embodiment, a resilient device, such as a spring, which urges the needle into a position which prevents the release of liquid from the apparatus is provided. Thus, in a resting position, pressurized fluid does not reach the nozzle and is therefore not sprayed therefrom. However, if it is desired to spray weed killer from the nozzle, the spring may be depressed, thereby opening a valve defined by the hole in the side of the needle.

An apparatus according to the present invention may also include a pressure release valve to prevent over pressurization of the reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment, a handle for controlling the apparatus is provided at one end to facilitate carrying of the apparatus and utilization of the sprayer.

Although the apparatus is intended for use as a weed killer sprayer, other fluids may be applied using an apparatus of this kind. For example, it might be suitable for applying paint to a surface.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of applying weed killer is provided. In particular, the method comprises placing a weed spraying apparatus in contact with a surface, applying pressure to the weed spraying apparatus to cause the apparatus to shorten, thereby opening a valve in the apparatus to allow weed killer to be released via a nozzle. The step of applying pressure may cause a spring to be compressed, thereby bringing the nozzle into fluid communication with a reservoir of the apparatus.

A method according to the present invention preferably employs a shield around the nozzle, such that the shield is brought into contact with a surface during use to trigger the sprayer. In this way, not only is the nozzle prevented from contacting the surface (thereby avoiding becoming dirty or even clogged), but the shield also prevents spray from reaching unintended areas.

The shield may be removable, so that shields having different sizes can be used. Although a shield used in a weed sprayer is likely to be conical in shape, other shapes may also be used.

As mentioned above, a separate pressurizing device may be used to pressurize the weed killer or other fluid in a reservoir in the apparatus. This separate pressurizing device may communicate with the weed killing apparatus via an inlet port. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, it may be possible to incorporate an integral pressurization pump as part of the weed killer apparatus itself In use, the apparatus is preferably carried using a handle which also allows a user to apply pressure to activate the apparatus to release weed killer from the nozzle.

It will be appreciated that an apparatus according to the present invention is typically held substantially vertically and pressure is applied lengthwise along the substantially vertical axis of the apparatus to trigger the weed killer sprayer.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spraying apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross sectional side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a weed spraying apparatus (1) has a wand (3), a handle (5) and a shield (7). The wand (3) includes an end cap (8) (with a retaining collar (9)) which has an inlet port (11) and a pressure release valve (13). At its lower needle end, the wand (3) has an end cap (14) (and a retaining collar (15)) through which a needle (17) may slide to access the interior of the wand (3).

The wand (3) also includes a reservoir (19) formed within a transparent tube (21). Part way down the tube (21), a plug (23) is fixed. The plug (23) has an aperture (24) for communication between the upper part of the reservoir (19) and a lower delivery chamber (25) formed in the lower part of the transparent tube (21).

The needle (17) is essentially a tube or pipe. An end of the needle (17) within the delivery chamber (25) is sealed and carried by a mount (29) which is free to move within the delivery chamber (25). A resilient spring (31) is situated between the plug (23) and the moveable mount (29) and urges the moveable mount (29) downwards, such that the needle (17) extends from the bottom of the end cap (14).

A short distance from the sealed end of the needle (17) there is an aperture or hole (33) in the side of the needle (17) which, when exposed to the delivery chamber (25) allows fluid to enter the bore (35) of the needle (17) and pass down through the needle (17) to a spray nozzle (37) formed in the shield (7).

A number of 0-ring seals (39) seal the handle end cap (8) to transparent tube (21) and further 0-ring seals (41) seal the lower needle end cap (14) to the other end of the transparent tube (21). A further pair of seals (43) ensure that the needle (17) can move through the needle end cap (14) without fluid leaking from the delivery chamber (25).

In use, a supply of weed killer is provided in an external reservoir (not shown) which is attached to the inlet port (11). The external reservoir is pressurized, such that weed killer passes through the inlet port (11) and into the reservoir (19) within the wand (3). Weed killer is then able to drain through the aperture (24) into the delivery chamber (25). A low pressure of 0.5-1 bar is typically used to pressurize the sprayer. However, if the pressure reaches 1.2 bar or above, for example, the pressure release valve (13) may come into play, such that the pressure is released. As can be seen in Figure 3, a conduit (45) extends through the end cap (8) from the reservoir (19) to pressure release valve (13).

To enable a weed to be sprayed with weed killer, the wand is placed such that the shield (7) sits over the weed on the ground. The handle (5) enables a user to achieve this in a simple fashion as the wand is about 1 metre in length (although other lengths may be provided as preferred by a particular user). The wand is then depressed such that the needle (17) enters the delivery chamber (25) and the aperture (33) in the needle (17) is exposed to the weed killer fluid within the delivery chamber (25). The weed killer then flows down the bore (35) of the needle (17) and is formed into a mist by the nozzle (37) within the shield (7). The mist (38) is delivered on to the weed without escaping from the shield (7). Thus, neighbouring plants are not affected by the weed killer. Once the weed killer has been delivered on to the weed, the wand can be lifted using the handle (5) such that the resilient coil spring (31) urges the mount (29) and hence the needle (17) out of the delivery chamber (25); the weed killer is then no longer able to pass down through the needle (17). In this way, a user can determine how much weed killer to apply to a given weed. The wand can then be moved to another weed and the same process repeated.

Although not shown, a clip-on safety lock may be provided around the needle (17) to prevent accidental triggering of spray. This may be particularly applicable when the sprayer is to be stored during non-use.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A weed spraying apparatus comprising: a wand comprising a reservoir and an integrated delivery mechanism, the delivery mechanism comprising a needle that can transport weed killer from the reservoir to a nozzle.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shaped shield attached around the nozzle restricts the release of spray into the atmosphere as well as preventing the inadvertent application of weed killer to adjacent plants.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shield is conical.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or claim3, wherein the shield includes an integral nozzle.
5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the diameter of the shield is between 2cm and 6cm, preferably about 4cm.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the needle has a bore, sealed at the reservoir end, and a hole in its side wall through which liquid can flow during use.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the needle communicates with the reservoir via a delivery chamber sealed by 0-rings.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is designed to be pressurised.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a spring which urges the needle into a position which prevents the release of liquid from the apparatus.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the spring can be depressed to allow liquid to flow to the nozzle.
11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a pressure release valve set to prevent over-pressurisation of the reservoir.
12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an inlet port for connection to a source of weed killer or other fluid.
13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further including a handle for controlling the apparatus.
14. A method of applying weed killer comprising the steps of: placing a weed spraying apparatus in contact with a surface; applying pressure to the weed spraying apparatus to cause the apparatus to shorten, thereby opening a valve in the apparatus to allow weed killer to be released via a nozzle.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of applying pressure causes a spring to be compressed, thereby bringing the nozzle into fluid communication with a reservoir of the apparatus.
16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the nozzle is surrounded by a shield which abuts a surface during use to trigger the spray.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the shield is interchangeable, such that shields of different sizes can be used.
18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein a source of pressure is connected to the apparatus during use to pressurise weed killer in a reservoir in the apparatus.
19. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the apparatus is carried using a handle which also allows the user to apply pressure to activate the apparatus to release weed killer.
20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the apparatus is held substantially vertically and pressure is applied lengthwise along the substantially vertical axis of the apparatus.