WO2021014070A1

WO2021014070A1 - Adaptable device on a blower

Info

Publication number: WO2021014070A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/051261
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel Christian Fernand COULON
Original assignee: Insect Pest Control
Priority date: 2019-07-24
Filing date: 2020-07-13
Publication date: 2021-01-28
Also published as: FR3099071B1; FR3099071A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adaptable device on a blower comprising a blowing tube (2), the device comprising: a sleeve (10) configured to be adapted on the blowing tube (2) of the blower; a portable liquid tank (21); a nozzle (11) located at the end of the sleeve (10); and a first pipe (15) connecting the liquid tank (21; 31) and the nozzle (11). The invention also relates to a blower provided with such an adaptable device.

Description

Title of the invention: ADAPTABLE DEVICE ON A

BLOWER

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of atomizers intended for spraying liquids, for example phytosanitary products for the treatment of orchards, vineyards or vegetable crops. The present invention relates more particularly to a device adaptable to a blower allowing the spraying of liquids using the air flow generated by the blower.

[0003] STATE OF THE ART

[0004] A blower is known from the prior art making it possible to generate an air flow capable of moving light objects such as dead leaves, grass or hedge cuttings. Such a blowing apparatus of the prior art (also called a blower) is shown in FIG. 1. It is typically composed of a main body 1 comprising a blowing tube 2 making it possible to guide an air flow generated by a turbine. (not shown) driven by a motor 3. The motor may be a heat engine or else, as shown in FIG. 1, an electric motor supplied by means of a battery. The battery can be an on-board battery 4 located in the main body or a delocalized battery 7 located on a battery holder 6. In the latter case, the delocalized battery 7 is connected to the motor by means of a cord

power supply 8. The main body 1 also comprises a handle provided with a control button 5 capable of operating the motor. Such blowers are commonly found in commerce.

[0005] Also known from the prior art are atomizers intended for spraying liquids, for example phytosanitary products for the treatment of orchards, vineyards or market garden crops. An atomizer typically comprises a main body comprising a blowing tube making it possible to guide an air flow generated by a turbine driven by a heat engine. The atomizer motor is commonly a motor thermal delocalized on a back support. The holder also includes a liquid reservoir connected to the blast tube through a pipe. Such atomizers are commonly found in commerce.

[0006] Such devices are expensive. Having a blower and an atomizer at the same time is particularly expensive.

[0007] One object of the present invention is in particular to allow the use of a blower to atomize a liquid without the need to purchase a separate atomizer. This goal is achieved by means of a device adaptable to a blower. The device according to the invention reuses, among other things, the blower tube, the turbine and the blower motor.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device

adaptable to a blower comprising a blowing tube; said device comprising:

- a sleeve configured to fit over the blower blow tube;

- a portable liquid reservoir;

- a nozzle located at the end of the sleeve; and

- a first pipe connecting the liquid reservoir and the nozzle.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a second pipe connecting the sleeve to the liquid reservoir, said second pipe being configured to allow the reservoir to be pressurized.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the nozzle comprises a means for adjusting the flow rate of liquid from the first pipe, such as for example an adjusting wheel.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a shut-off valve along the first pipe.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first pipe connects the lower part of the liquid reservoir to the nozzle.

According to one embodiment, the second pipe connects the upper part of the liquid reservoir to the sleeve. [0015] According to one embodiment, the sleeve is configured to fit on the blower blower tube by means of a latching device.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the sleeve comprises a section of reduced diameter located between two sections of larger diameter.

According to one embodiment, the connection between the second pipe and the sleeve is located upstream of the reduced diameter section of the sleeve.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a support, such as for example a belt or a harness, supporting the liquid reservoir.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a blower

comprising an engine, a turbine driven by said engine, a blowing tube for guiding an air flow generated by said turbine and a device according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the blower motor is an electric motor.

This embodiment has the advantage of preventing the release of combustion gases and reducing noise pollution.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the blower further comprises a support, such as for example a belt or a harness, supporting the battery supplying the electric motor; said support also supporting the liquid reservoir of the device according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to an alternative embodiment, the blower comprises a battery integrated in the main body. According to this embodiment, the main body therefore comprises in particular the blowing tube, the motor, the turbine, and the battery. This embodiment has the advantage of reducing the weight of the equipment compared to existing atomizers whose heat engine and gasoline tank are carried on a man's back.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a blower comprising a blowing tube in combination with a device according to the first aspect of the invention, for spraying products

liquid phytosanitary products, for example for the treatment of orchards, vineyards or vegetable crops. According to a preferred embodiment, the blower is an electric blower. This embodiment has the advantage of preventing the release of combustion gases and of reducing noise pollution. By electric blower is meant a blower comprising an electric motor.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a blower comprising a blower tube in combination with a device according to the first aspect of the invention, for the spraying of liquid insecticides (for example of mosquito repellent), especially in urban or peri-urban areas. According to a preferred embodiment, the blower is an electric blower. This embodiment has the advantage of preventing the release of combustion gases and reducing noise pollution.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a blower comprising a blowing tube in combination with a device according to the first aspect of the invention, for the spraying of liquids in a confined environment. By way of nonlimiting examples, one can cite a greenhouse (for example a horticultural greenhouse or a market garden greenhouse), a warehouse (for example a food warehouse), a flour mill or even a ship's cargo. According to a preferred embodiment, the blower is an electric blower. This embodiment has the advantage of preventing the release of combustion gases and reducing noise pollution.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of exemplary and non-restrictive embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig. 1] shows a known blower from the prior art.

[0029] [Fig. 2] shows a blower fitted with a device adaptable to said

blower according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0030] [Fig. 3] shows a blower fitted with a device adaptable to said

blower according to another embodiment of the invention. [0031] [Fig. 4] shows an enlarged partial view of a device suitable for a blower according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0032] REFERENCES TO THE FIGURES

[0033] 1 - Main body

[0034] 2 - Blowing tube

[0035] 3 - Engine

[0036] 4 - Onboard battery

[0037] 5 - Control button

[0038] 6 - Battery holder

[0039] 7 - Relocated battery

[0040] 8 - Power cord

[0041] 10 - Sleeve

[0042] 11 - Nozzle

[0043] 12 - Section of reduced diameter

[0044] 13 - Flow rate adjustment means

[0045] 14 - Stop valve

[0046] 15 - First pipe

[0047] 16 - Connection between the second pipe and the sleeve

[0048] 17 - Second line

[0049] 18 - Snap-in device

[0050] 20 - Belt

[0051] 21 - Liquid reservoir

[0052] 22 - Tank filling cap

23 - Connection between the first pipe and the liquid reservoir

24 - Connection between the second pipe and the liquid reservoir

[0055] 30 - Harness [0056] 31 - Liquid reservoir

[0057] 32 - Tank filling cap

[0058] 33 - Connection between the first pipe and the liquid reservoir

34 - Connection between the second pipe and the liquid reservoir

[0060] 35 - Battery

[0061] 36 - Power cord

[0062] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] Figure 1 illustrates a blower according to the prior art. A blower typically comprises a main body 1 comprising a blowing tube 2 making it possible to guide an air flow generated by a turbine (not shown) driven by an electric motor 3. The electric motor is powered by a battery which can be a battery. 4 located in the main body 1 or a delocalized battery 7 located on a battery holder 6. In the latter case, the delocalized battery 7 is connected to the motor by means of a power cord 8. The body main 1 also comprises a handle provided with a control button 5 capable of actuating the motor.

[0064] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the blower motor can

alternatively be a heat engine (this variant is not shown). In this case, the blower will also include a fuel tank, preferably a tank relocated on a tank holder. The tank will then be connected to the engine by a pipe. Such blowers, with electric motor or heat engine, are commonly found on the market.

[0065] Figure 2 illustrates a blower according to the prior art, provided with a device according to the invention allowing the blower to be used as an atomizer for spraying liquids. In this figure 2, we find the main elements of a blower: a main body 1, a blowing tube 2, an electric motor 3 actuated by a control button 5, and a battery 4 located in the main body 1. As indicated above, the engine can alternatively be a heat engine. However, according to a preferred embodiment, the blower motor is an electric motor. This embodiment has the advantage to avoid the release of combustion gas which can be annoying in particular when using the device according to the invention in a confined space (a greenhouse for example). This embodiment also has the advantage of reducing noise pollution compared to thermal engine atomizers existing on the market.

[0066] Figure 2 also illustrates the device according to the invention configured to fit on the blower (in this Figure 2, the device according to the invention is shown mounted on the blower). This device comprises a sleeve 10 configured to fit on the blower tube 2 of the blower. The sleeve is notably configured to adapt to the end of the blower tube and to guide the flow of air generated by the blower. The device also comprises a portable liquid reservoir 21 capable of containing a liquid that is to be sprayed, a nozzle 11 located at one end of the sleeve and a first pipe 15 connecting the liquid reservoir 21 and the nozzle 11. As illustrated. , the nozzle 11 is located at the end of the sleeve 10 which is not configured to fit the end of the blast tube 2. Thus, the sleeve comprises two ends, a first end configured to fit on a blowing tube 2 of a blower and a second end to which a nozzle 11 is attached. The nozzle 11 is thus connected to the sleeve 10 and supplied with liquid via the first pipe 15.

Preferably, the device comprises a means for adjusting the liquid flow 13 such as an adjusting wheel. This flow rate adjustment means 13 can be located anywhere along the first pipe 15. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the flow rate adjustment means 13 is located at the end of the first pipe 15. ; at the fluid connection between the first pipe 15 and the nozzle 11. This embodiment has the advantage of making the flow adjustment means 13 easily accessible for

the user.

Preferably, the device also comprises a shut-off valve 14 which can be located at any location along the first pipe 15. A shut-off valve is used to completely open or close the section of a pipe. According to an embodiment not shown, the valve and the adjustment means flow can be a single organ. According to a preferred embodiment and shown in FIG. 2, the stop valve 14 and the flow adjustment means 13 are two adjustable elements in different ways. This preferred embodiment has the advantage of making it possible to stop the spraying of liquid without modifying the flow rate setting. When the shut-off valve is opened, the previously adjusted flow rate will be immediately restored.

selected. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the stop valve 14 is located on the sleeve 10. This embodiment has the advantage of making the stop valve easily accessible to the user. At the stop valve, there is no fluid connection between the sleeve and the first pipe 15 (the first pipe only connects the liquid reservoir 21 to the nozzle 11).

[0069] The liquid reservoir 21 is located on a belt 20 allowing easy wearing of the reservoir 21 by the user of the device according to the invention. This reservoir has an opening which can be closed with a filler cap 22 allowing the reservoir to be filled with liquid to be sprayed. The reservoir 21 is connected to the first pipe 15 at a connection 23. This connection is located near or at the lower part of the liquid reservoir 21. As illustrated, the device also comprises a second pipe 17 connecting the tank. sleeve 10 to the reservoir 21. The second pipe 17 is connected to the reservoir 21 near or at the level of the upper end of the reservoir 21, so as to prevent liquid from entering this second pipe 17. The second pipe 17 is configured to pressurize the liquid reservoir 21 by ensuring a return of the air blown into the reservoir 21. This second pipe 17 makes it possible to pressurize the liquid reservoir 21 so that the device according to The invention operates and continues to spray liquid even if the nozzle 11 is at a height greater than that of the liquid reservoir 21. According to one embodiment, the second pipe 17 comprises a valve non-return (not shown) allowing air to enter the tank but preventing liquid from entering the second line 17 from the tank.

[0070] Figure 3 also illustrates a blower according to the prior art provided with a

device according to the invention. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 differs from that of Figure 2 in that the blower does not include a battery in its main body 1 but a delocalized battery 35 on a battery holder 30. In this embodiment, the battery 35 is connected to the electric motor 3 by the through a power cord 36. The portable liquid reservoir 31 of the device is located on the battery holder 30 of the blower. This embodiment has the advantage of using a single carrying means (here a harness 30 but it is obviously possible to use the belt 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 or any other carrying means) to support both the battery 35 and liquid tank 31. The other characteristics remain unchanged. In particular, the sleeve 10 and the nozzle 11 are unchanged and there is a first pipe 15 connecting the nozzle 11 to the reservoir 31, an opening which can be closed using a filler cap 32 making it possible to fill the reservoir with liquid to be sprayed. , and a second pipe 17 connecting the sleeve 10 to the reservoir 31 near the upper end of the reservoir. The connection 33 between the reservoir 31 and the first pipe 15 is made near or at the lower part of the liquid reservoir 31 while the connection 34 between the reservoir 31 and the second pipe 17 is made near or at the level of the upper part of the tank 31.

[0071] Figure 4 illustrates a partial view of the device according to the invention and in

in particular an enlarged view of the sleeve 10. It is observed that the sleeve 10 comprises a section of reduced diameter 12 between two sections of greater diameter (this section of reduced diameter 12 is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). According to one embodiment, the reduction in diameter is between 5 and 50%, preferably between 10 and 30% even more preferably around 15%. By reduction in diameter is meant the ratio between the smallest diameter at the reduced diameter section 12 and the largest diameter at the level of the two sections on either side of the reduced diameter section 12. reduction in diameter accelerates the air flow thanks to the venturi effect. This accelerated air flow will then meet the liquid which feeds the nozzle and allow its spraying at the outlet of the device. To allow the reservoir to be pressurized, the connection 16 between the second pipe 17 and the sleeve 10 is located upstream of the reduction in the diameter of the sleeve so as to maintain maximum pressure. Figure 4 also illustrates the presence of a latching device 18 configured to cooperate with a latching device present on the blower tube 2 of the blower. This embodiment ensures the attachment between the sleeve 10 and the blower tube 2 of the blower.

[0073] The drawings and the detailed description associated with them are provided by way of example. Although the invention is illustrated by these drawings and embodiments are described in detail, the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. Other variations of the disclosed invention can be extrapolated and made by those skilled in the art who wish to implement the claimed invention from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

[0074] In the claims and the present description, the word "includes" or "comprising" does not exclude other elements and the indefinite singular article "a" or "a" does not exclude a plurality i

Claims

[Claim 1] Device adaptable to a blower (1) comprising a blower tube (2); said device comprising:

- a sleeve (10) configured to fit on the blower tube (2) of the blower (1);

- a portable liquid reservoir (21; 31);

- a nozzle (11) located at the end of the sleeve (10); and

- A first pipe (15) connecting the liquid reservoir (21; 31) and the nozzle (1 1).

[Claim 2] Device according to claim 1, further comprising a second pipe (17) connecting the sleeve (10) to the liquid reservoir (21; 31), said second pipe (17) being configured to allow the pressurization of the liquid. tank.

[Claim 3] Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the nozzle (11) comprises means for adjusting the flow rate (13) of liquid from the first pipe (15), such as for example an adjusting wheel.

[Claim 4] Device according to any one of claims 1 to

3, comprising a shut-off valve (14) along the first pipe (15).

[Claim 5] Device according to any one of claims 1 to

4, in which the first pipe (15) connects the lower part of the liquid reservoir (21; 31) to the nozzle (11).

[Claim 6] Device according to any one of claims 2 to

5, wherein the second conduit (17) connects the upper part of the liquid reservoir (21; 31) to the sleeve (10).

[Claim 7] Device according to any one of claims 1 to

6, wherein the sleeve (10) is configured to fit over the blower tube (2) of the blower (1) via a ratchet device (18).

[Claim 8] Device according to any one of claims 1 to

7, wherein the sleeve (10) comprises a reduced diameter section (12) located between two larger diameter sections.

[Claim 9] Device according to claim 8 in that it depends on claim 2, in which the connection (16) between the second pipe and the sleeve is located upstream of the reduced diameter section (12) of the sleeve.

[Claim 10] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a support (20; 30), such as for example a belt (20) or a harness (30), supporting the liquid reservoir (21). ; 31).

[Claim 11] Blower (1) comprising a motor (3), a turbine

driven by said motor (3), a blowing tube (2) for guiding an air flow generated by said turbine and a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

[Claim 12] A blower according to claim 11, wherein the motor (3) is an electric motor powered by a battery (35).

[Claim 13] A blower according to claim 12 further comprising a support (30), such as for example a belt or harness, supporting the battery (35); said support (30) also supporting the liquid reservoir (31).