Abstract:
A portable misting system is disclosed for producing mist atomization in remote locations with or without pressurized water supplies. The system comprises an airtight water reservoir pressurized during filling by a pressurized water supply source. In the absence of a pressurized water supply, the system may be pressurized manually using an integrated pump. 
     A flexible fluid conduit constructed from interlocking segments forming resilient ball-joints connections is used to manually position a nozzle in a desired orientation. The nozzle produces an atomized mist of water that will cool the area proximate to the nozzle. Water flow thought the nozzle is controlled with a control valve coupled between the flexible fluid conduit and the nozzle proximate to the nozzle. A locking adaptor connects the flexible fluid conduit to the control valve.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   A water atomization system dispensing an evaporative, cooling mist. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Heat illness is associated with the cause of death of over 4,000 people annually in the United States. The human body operates with a core temperature between 36°-38° C. and if it is elevated, heat illness will occur. Heat illness can range from the minor (prickly heat) to the serious (heat exhaustion). Heat exhaustion can easily lead to heat stroke where a person will typically have a core body temperature of over 41° C., which can lead to death. The risk of heat illness, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, are directly related to the temperature-humidity index. Temperatures greater than 80° F. and 80% humidity can lead to heat illness when combined with strenuous physical activity. 
   It is commonly known that the process of atomized water dispersed into the air provides a cooling effect. The atomization and dispersal of water into a fine mist can reduce the ambient temperature from 10° to 25° F. depending upon the relative humidity, and some outdoor misting systems claim temperature reductions of up to 35° F. In recent years, a number of water atomization or “misting” devices have been produced for pool and patio applications, restaurants, outdoor theme parks, zoos, greenhouses, and similar venues. Most of these applications utilize conventional water or plumbing lines to provide both a water source and the necessary system pressurization to create and disperse a cooling mist. 
   Many early atomization nozzles were actually designed for livestock and pesticide applications. This agricultural technology eventually was transferred and adopted into water atomization devices to provide a low energy cooling process for human comfort in various outdoor, non-climate controlled settings. 
   For many years, misting systems have been employed in outside commercial settings to provide a relatively cooler environment and continue to attract patrons even when daytime temperatures are at their highest. Mist cooling systems can be found in many patio restaurants and bars. They are a fairly standard fixture at amusement and theme parks such as the various Six Flags amusement parks, Disneyland, and Disney World. Misting systems are also seeing increasing popularity for residential use around patios in desert locations with very high temperatures and very low humidity such as Las Vegas and Phoenix, as well as other cities where high temperatures combined with medium to high humidity are common during summer months. Somewhat more sophisticated misting systems mated to a fan are used at outdoor events such as concerts and fairs. 
   When temperatures are high, outdoor entertainment businesses&#39; patrons find other places to go. For example, the golfing industry suffers seasonal lows when the weather becomes hot. Conventional air-conditioning systems for golf carts and other open vehicles are impractical. 
   Many workers drive forklifts or otherwise engage in strenuous work outdoors. Other workers engage in strenuous work inside buildings without air conditioning systems or sufficient ventilation, such as warehouses. In addition to the inefficiencies associated with being uncomfortable while working, these workers are at risk of heat related illnesses. Misting systems attached to forklifts or other vehicles can substantially improve the attitude and productivity of the workers while reducing their exposure to the risks of heat-related illnesses. Other workers can benefit from personal, portable misting system. 
   Most active people also engage in physical activity outdoors lacking climate controlling air conditioning where temperatures are high enough for heat-related illness to develop. Personal, portable cooling systems also provide relief from the high heat stress these individuals can experience. Even if people are lounging in their backyard, a misting system can provide effective cooling to improve comfort. 
   To address the problem of heat-related discomfort and illnesses, misting devices have been developed that produce a cooling mist. Many of these misting devices are designed to be carried by hand, and lack the volume, and hands-free operation that some individuals prefer. Some designs require the introduction of pressurized air or water to provide a pressure source for forcing water through the atomization nozzles, or the device uses a battery-powered pump motor to force water through the atomization nozzle. These devices have inherent limitations as there use may be far from a pressurized water or compressed air source. Other variations require pumping air into the water reservoir to pressurize the system. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,056 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,951 disclose personalized atomization devices that are portable in nature. These devices have reservoirs divided into separate sealed sections by a flexible internal bladder, and quick-disconnect hose and nozzle couplings. These systems utilize the pressure of city water lines to fill an internal bladder while and have a secondary chamber pressurized with air that forces water out of an atomizer fitting. The disadvantages of these devices are that they incorporate the complex construction of a flexible bladder sealingly installed in a secondary containment reservoir and lack an effective distribution system for many activities. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,140 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,590 disclose a personal, portable cooling device utilizing a manual pumping chamber to achieve water atomization and provides for conductive cooling in addition to convective cooling, and allows for remote system pressurization. The disadvantages of this and similar devices are that they require separate operational steps to fill the reservoir and to compress the air in the reservoir and require the user to compress air in the reservoir and must do so by continuously pumping air into the reservoir by hand. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,388 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,961 disclose a misting device that includes an air flow directed toward a user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,388 claims a cylindrical misting device delivering a high velocity, laminar air flow with an atomizing nozzle discharging a mist into the air flow from a pressurized water tank. U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,961 claims a waist pack misting device delivering a 17 mph air flow at 18 inches from a fan directed toward a user&#39;s face with an atomizing nozzle discharging a mist into the air flow from a spray bottle. Both devices are designed to take advantage of the wind chill effect that occurs when air blows across a person&#39;s bare skin. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,371 discloses a system for providing water mist to the occupants of open vehicles such as golf carts. This system utilizes the power system of the vehicle to electrically pump water to atomizing nozzles. The system requires a relatively elaborate design of equipment, including an electrical water pump, accumulator, fuses, on/off switches, and a separate water tank. The disadvantages of these devices are that they are expensive, complex, and require electrical power to operate. Power supplied to accessory systems from electric carts is undesirable since it reduces the duration for which the vehicle can operate. 
   There is a need for a misting device that can passively produce a cooling mist that does not require an external pressurization or power source. Such a device would gain benefits of simplicity of design, use, and production. Such a device would not require any additional steps for use beyond filling the device with water. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is an airtight reservoir with an quick-disconnect valve for filling the reservoir with water. A flexible fluid conduit constructed of pressure-fitted interlocking ball-joints is connected to the reservoir by an inlet end. The outlet end is coupled to a control valve by a snap fitting adaptor. The control valve is proximately connected to a nozzle. 
   In operation, water under pressure in the reservoir flows through the nozzle in an atomized mist when the control valve is open. The flexible fluid conduit is manually adjusted to a preferred orientation to dispense the cooling mist in a desired orientation. As water exits the reservoir, the pressure decreases. An integral pump can be used to repressurize the reservoir during use, or the reservoir can be left connected to a water sources that maintains the pressure during operation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description and appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the invention of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the invention of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a view of the reservoir used in the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the female quick-disconnect coupling for threaded connection to a garden hose or other pressurized water supply source, which permits quick, sealed connection of the water supply source to the reservoir; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the flexible fluid conduit used in invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the body of the flexible fluid conduit showing the interlocking segments and the adaptors on either end as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the threaded adaptor coupling that connects the flexible fluid conduit to the reservoir; 
       FIG. 8  is mid-line sectional view of the threaded adaptor coupling; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a plastic ball-joint segment; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a ½″ to ¼″ adaptor ball-joint segment adaptor used to connect the flexible fluid conduit to the control valve; 
       FIG. 11  is side view of snap fitting internal tube adaptor used to connect the tubing of the flexible fluid conduit to the control valve; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the ball-joint segment adaptor and snap fitting internal tube adaptor and how the two parts couple together; 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the control valve; 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the ¼″ to ⅛″ socket adaptor used to connect the control valve to the nozzle assembly; 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded isometric view of the nozzle assembly used in the preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 16  is an alternative embodiment for a manifold with two flexible nozzle assemblies attached to the ball-joint segment; 
       FIG. 17  is a cutaway view of the manifold; and 
       FIG. 18  is a view of a nozzle assembly in the alternate embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows the primary components of a preferred embodiment of the misting system of the present invention. An airtight reservoir  14  has a quick-disconnect valve  18  on the top surface of the reservoir  14 . An integral manual air pump  16  can be used to force air into the reservoir  14  and pressurize the interior. A reservoir connection  20  includes one-way valve that allows fluid to flow out of the reservoir  14  but will not allow fluid to flow back into the reservoir  14 . A flexible fluid conduit  25  connects a valve  27  to the reservoir  14 . The valve  27  controls fluid flow out of a nozzle assembly  30  that is coupled to the flexible fluid conduit  25 . 
     FIG. 2  shows an alternate preferred embodiment. An airtight reservoir  114  has a quick-disconnect valve  118  on the bottom side surface of the reservoir  114 . An integral manual air pump  116  can be used to force air into the reservoir  114  and pressurize the interior. A reservoir connection  120  includes one-way valve that allows fluid to flow out of the reservoir  114  but will not allow fluid to flow back into the reservoir  114 . A flexible fluid conduit  125  connects a valve  127  to the reservoir  114 . The valve  127  controls fluid flow out of a nozzle assembly  130  that is coupled to the flexible fluid conduit  125 . 
     FIG. 3  is isometric view of the reservoir component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A reservoir connection  220  is connected near to an inlet  222  (hidden lines) of flexible fluid conduit  225 . Inlet  222  of the flexible fluid conduit  225  is located inside and extends down to near the bottom of reservoir  214 . A quick-disconnect valve  218  located near the bottom of the reservoir  214  that can be used to fill the reservoir  214  with water or other fluid. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a complementary coupling  319  is provided for a threaded connection to a garden hose or other pressurized fluid supply source, and the coupling  319  will fit over the quick-disconnect valve  218 . The quick-disconnect valve  218  is a one-way valve that provides a water and airtight seal when the coupling  219  is not attached. An integral manual air pump  216  can be used to force air into the reservoir  214  and pressurize the interior. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the flexible fluid conduit, valve, and nozzle assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible fluid conduit  428  has an outside diameter of approximately one inch. The first end of the flexible fluid conduit  428  is a threaded adaptor coupling  430  for connecting the flexible conduit  420  to the reservoir connection ( 20 ,  120 , and  220 ). Extending from the end of coupling  420  is the core plastic tubing  410  that fluid flows through. When the threaded coupling  430  is screwed over the reservoir connection, the core plastic tubing  410  couples to a one-way valve in the reservoir connection to form a water and air tight seal with the plastic tubing  410  that extends down into the reservoir ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ). 
   The core plastic tubing  410  passes through the length of the flexible fluid conduit. A threaded adaptor coupling  430  connects to a length of interlocking plastic ball-joint segments  450  that tightly fit together to form the length of fluid conduit  428  that can be manually manipulated to a desired configuration. The interlocking plastic ball-joint segments  450  pressure fit together so as to retain their relative position with each other once manipulated into the desired shape and configuration. The flexible, resilient memory-retaining components can be manipulated to a desired configuration to dispense a mist in a desired orientation. 
   A snap fitting internal tube adaptor  431  couples the core plastic tubing  410  and interlocking plastic ball-joint segments  450  to a control valve  440 . The control valve  440  has a flow selector  442  that can be rotated to an on position permitting fluid flow and an off position blocking fluid flow. A nozzle assembly  460  couples to the control valve  440 . 
   Although the preferred embodiment uses segments of interlocking ball-joint segments, it is readily apparent that other flexible tube configurations are possible. The salient feature of the flexible conduit is a configuration that can manually be manipulated into a preferred configuration that retains the desired, manipulated configuration. 
     FIG. 6  shows additional details of the flexible fluid conduit. Loc-Line® interlocking plastic ball-joint segments. The exterior body of the flexible fluid conduit is a series of interlocking plastic ball-joint segments  550 . The threaded adaptor coupling  510  pressure-fits into the first end  552  of the first plastic ball-joint segment  551 . The second end  557  of the first plastic ball-joint segment  551  in turn fits into the first end  559  of the second plastic ball-joint segment  553 . The total length of the interlocking plastic ball-joint segments  550  in the preferred embodiment is between 12″ to 18″. The terminating end of interlocking plastic ball-joint segments  550  is a plastic ball-joint segment adaptor  556  that a snap fitting internal tube adaptor  531  fits into. 
     FIG. 7  shows additional detail of the threaded adaptor coupling. The body of the threaded adaptor coupling  600  is preferably constructed of plastic. The first end  605  threadedly couples to the reservoir connection ( 20 ,  120 ,  220 ) to form a water and air tight connection. The exterior of the threaded adaptor coupling  600  includes ridges  605  so that a user can tighten, or loosen, the threaded adaptor coupling  600  to the reservoir connection ( 20 ,  120 ,  220 ). The second end consist of a ball section  615  that pressure fits into the plastic ball-joint segments to form the first ball-joint connection. 
     FIG. 8  is a mid-line sectional view of the threaded adaptor coupling. The threaded adaptor coupling  700  has an exterior with the ridges  710  for gripping. The threaded interface  715  fits over the threaded section of the reservoir connection ( 20 ,  120 ,  220 ). The cylindrical center  720  permits passing hollow plastic tubing through so fluid can flow from the pressurized interior of the reservoir ( 14 ,  114 ,  214 ) to exit from the nozzle assembly ( 30 ,  130 ,  460 ). 
     FIG. 9  shows additional detail of a plastic ball-joint segment. The plastic ball-joint segment  800  has a female first end  810  and a male second end  815 . The design of the semispherical ball section  820  pressure fits into the female end  810  of a corresponding segment. The semispherical ball section  820  rotates within the female end  810  segment to form a resiliently flexible length memory-retaining segments that can be rotatably manipulated into a variety of configurations. 
     FIG. 10  shows additional detail of the ball-joint segment adaptor. This ball-joint segment adaptor  900  is a ½″ to ¼″ adaptor. The female first end  910  of the ball-joint segment adaptor  900  couples to the male second end of a ball-joint segment. The diameter of the opening into female first end  910  is approximately ½″. The second end  915  of the ball-joint segment adaptor  900  is approximately ¼″ so the adaptor reduces the opening from ½″ to ¼″. 
     FIG. 11  shows additional detail of the snap fitting internal tube adaptor. The snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1000  consist of five structural elements. The first element is the threaded exterior section  1010  that screws into a control valve. The second element is a hexagonal nut fastener section  1015  that allows tools to attach to the snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1000  for assembly. The third element  1020  locks onto the ball-joint segment adaptor  900 . The fourth element  1025  allows the tubing that fluid flows through to securely friction fit onto the snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1000 . Finally, the snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1000  has an orifice approximately 0.20″ that passes completely through the snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1000 . 
     FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the ball-joint segment adaptor and snap fitting internal tube adaptor and how the two parts couple together. The ball-joint segment adaptor  1110  includes an internal lip structure  1111 , while the snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1115  includes a ring fitting  1117 . The snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1115  slides into the ball-joint segment adaptor  1110  as shown, so that the ring fitting  1117  “snaps” over the lip structure  1111  to lock the two components together in the final, assembled configuration. 
     FIG. 13  shows the control valve that the internal tube adaptor attaches to. The control valve connects to the exposed threads  1010  of the snap fitting internal tube adaptor  1000  using a hexagonal coupler  1210  with matching internal threads. The hexagonal coupler  1210  is friction fitted or glued into the female end  1215  of the control valve  1200 . A valve stem  1220  passes through the body of the control valve  1200  and turns to selectively allow fluid flow through the valve  1200 . The male end  1230  of the control valve  1200  pressure fits into a corresponding female end of a ¼″ to ⅛″ socket adaptor. 
     FIG. 14  shows the ¼″ to ⅛″ socket adaptor. The female first end  1310  of the ¼″ to ⅛″ socket adaptor  1300  pressure fits over the male end  1230  of the control valve  1200 . The second end  1315  of the ¼″ to ⅛″ socket adaptor  1300  is internally threaded to couple with the nozzle assembly. 
     FIG. 15  is an exploded isometric view of the nozzle assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, a threaded end element  1446  threadedly connects to the ¼″ to ⅛″ socket adaptor  1300 . A filter element  1458  is inserted into end element  1446  located between a receptacle  1456 , with the end element  1446  and the receptacle  1456  threadedly coupled together. A nozzle  1560  is threadedly connected to the  1456 . Preferably, nozzle  1460  has a flow rating of at least 0.75 gallons per hour. An o-ring seal  1462  seals the connection between nozzle  1460  and receptacle  1456 . 
     FIG. 16  is an alternative embodiment that uses a manifold with two flexible nozzle assemblies. The manifold  1500  consist of an elongated, rectangular housing  1510 . A valve control  1520  on each end of the housing  1510  controls water flow through the manifold  1500  and out of the nozzle assembly  1530 . The nozzle assembly  1530  screws onto the manifold  1500  by two plastic fittings  1537 . A threaded coupling  1540  is provided to screw onto an appropriate adaptor on the end of the plastic ball-joint segment  800 . 
     FIG. 17  shows a cutaway view of the manifold body to reveal the internal structure. The threaded coupling  1640  terminates inside the manifold  1600  to form a T-junction in a tube  1650 . On either end of the tube  1650  a control valve  1620  controls water flow through the manifold  1600 . The tube  1650  terminates at each end in a female receptacle  1630  to connect the nozzle assembly to the manifold  1600 . 
     FIG. 18  shows a cutaway view of a nozzle assembly used in the alternative embodiment. A plastic male coupling  1705  forms one end of the nozzle assembly  1700  to connect to the female receptacle  1630  of the manifold  1600 . The male coupling  1705  includes a neoprene or rubber o-ring  1710  that forms a water tight seal when connected to the manifold  1600 . A threaded section, tongue and groove, or similar type connection means  1715  securely couples the nozzle assembly to the manifold  1600 . A nipple  1720  slides into the tube to form a water tight seal. Copper (or some similar bendable metal) wire  1745  slides into the opening of the nipple  1720 . The opening of the nipple  1720  is not circular, but rather forms a roughly triangular, rectangular, or similar shaped opening so that the metal wire fits down inside the coupling  1705  flush to a side so as to not form a stress spot that the end of the wire  1745  can cut into as the nozzle assembly is bent to a desired configuration. 
   The wire  1745  running the length of the nozzle assembly  1700  give the tube  1730  rigidity so that the nozzle assembly  1700  can be bent to a desired orientation. The nozzle  1760  includes a nipple section  1765  that slides into the tube  1730  to friction fit in a water tight seal. The end of the wire  1745  running the length of the nozzle assembly  1700  is cut and crimped to form a flattened cross section fitting into the nozzle  1760  so no water tight seal is possible. Water can thus flow through the polygonal shaped opening of the male coupling  1705  down the length of the tube  1730  and over the surface of the wire  1745  and out of the nozzle  1765 . The two nozzle assemblies can be bent and adjusted to a desired orientation in concert with the ball-joint segment to deliver a cooling mist. 
   OPERATION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  FIG. 4 , complementary coupling  319  is threadedly connected to the end of a garden hose for easy attachment and release to quick-disconnect valve  118  and  218 . Quick-disconnect valve  118  and  218  is connected to reservoir  114  and  214 . To fill reservoir  114  and  214  with water for service, a garden hose fitted with coupling  319  is connected to quick-disconnect valve  118  and  218 . When the water is turned on, it flows past valve  118  and  218  into reservoir  114  and  218 . The quick-disconnect valve  118  and  218  is a one-way valve, which prevents the escape of air pressure and water from reservoir  114  and  214 . The misting system is a closed system (water and air-tight), so the addition of water into reservoir  114  and  214  at the pressure of the supply source (i.e., city water line pressure) increasingly compresses the air in reservoir  114  and  214  as it fills with water if the control valve  27  and  127  closed. Thus, as water enters reservoir  114  and  214 , the internal air pressure inside reservoir  114  and  214  exceeds the ambient air pressure outside. 
   Conduit inlet  222  of the flexible tubular fluid conduit  225  extends downward inside reservoir  214  to near the bottom of reservoir  214 . It is at the open end of conduit inlet  222  that water enters the flexible tublular conduit  225  under pressure. Conduit inlet  222  is plumbingly connected to the flexible tubular fluid conduit  225 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the flexible tubular fluid conduit  428  is plumbingly connected to the reservoir connection  120  and  220  by the threaded adaptor coupling  430 . The control valve  440  can be opened or closed for controlling the flow of water from the reservoir  114  and  214 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the control valve  27  and  127  is closed when filling reservoir  14  and  114  from a water hose through quick-disconnect valve  18  and  118  and pressurizing the misting system. Control valve  27  and  127  is opened to start the flow of water through the misting system. When control valve  27  and  127  is opened, the pressurized air in reservoir  14  and  114  forces water to travel sequentially through conduit inlet  222 , through flexible fluid conduit  25  and  125 , past the control valve  27  and  127 , and through the nozzle assembly  30  and  130  to dispense as a cooling mist. 
   As reservoir  14  and  14  loses water through misting, the volume of air space inside reservoir  14  and  114  increases, proportionally decreasing the air pressure inside of reservoir  14  and  114 . Since air pressure provides the energy source for forcing water through the misting system, it may eventually be necessary to increase the air pressure inside of reservoir  14  and  114  to continue misting. The system can be recharged by reconnecting a garden hose to quick-disconnect valve  18  and  118  and refilling the reservoir  14  and  114  with water to repressurize the system to force water through the system and replenish the water supply. The system can also be recharged to increase the air pressure using the manual pump handle  16  and  116  to force air into the reservoir  14  and  114 . The embodiment of  FIG. 2  is further intended to offer the option of leaving a garden hose connected to the quick-disconnect valve  118  so as to constantly refresh the water and maintain the pressure inside the reservoir  114 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , the filter element  1658  located between receptacle  1456  and end element  1446  prevents impurities from flowing into the nozzle  1460  that otherwise would clog nozzle  1460 . The o-ring seal  1462  helps seal the connection between nozzle  1660  and receptacle  1454 . 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be readily understood that minor changes in the details of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Having described the invention,