Abstract:
A portable sprayer device which affords protection for the liquid concentrate container. A versatile spraying capability is also provided as well as an apparatus producing a vacuum function, an air gap and a spill-proof bottle feature. The sprayer device is particularly suited for dispensing cleaning, germicidal, sanitizing, insecticidal, deodorant materials and any other similar chemical concentrate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     NONE 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     NONE 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates to a portable sprayer device. More particularly, it relates to a portable sprayer device having a frame member for supporting and protecting a chemical concentrate container. 
     A portable dispenser device which can provide accurate dilutions of chemical concentrates as well as spray them is available as the J-FILL Portable™ device from Johnson Wax Professional in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. While this device does perform with a high degree of efficiency, it does not afford a support or protection for the chemical concentrate container. Neither does it provide a hose attachment for spraying. 
     When employing portable dispenser devices, there is likelihood that the container for the chemical concentrate can inadvertently strike another object such as shelving or a doorway. This could damage the container causing it to leak. It should also be recognized that after prolonged usage, the operator may become fatigued and the operator may want to place the container on a supporting surface such as a floor, but inadvertently do so in a forceful manner. This also could damage the container. 
     It is also desirable that the portable dispenser device have a hose attachment so as to be more versatile in its spraying capability. 
     Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for an improved portable dispenser device which affords protection for the container as well as increased spraying capability. 
     The objects of the invention therefore are: 
     a. Providing an improved portable sprayer device. 
     b. Providing a portable sprayer device, which affords protection for the liquid concentrate container. 
     c. Providing a portable sprayer device, which affords a versatile spraying capability. 
     d. Providing a portable sprayer device of the foregoing type, which has an apparatus producing a vacuum function and also contains an air gap. 
     e. Providing a portable sprayer device of the foregoing type, which has a spillproof bottle feature. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing objects are accomplished and the shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the portable sprayer device of this invention which includes a frame member having top, side and bottom portions. The bottom portion is defined by a floor member and a side protective portion, the floor member and side protective portion are constructed and arranged to receive a container on the inside of the side protective portion. 
     A fluid control valve has a fluid inlet connected to the top portion of the frame member and an eductor is connected to a side portion, the eductor and fluid control valve being in fluid communication. A fluid intake line is in fluid communication with the eductor and a container cap member. A hose member is in fluid communication with the eductor. 
     In one aspect, the side protective portion is provided by a continuous, uninterrupted wall and the floor member is provided by a strap. 
     In one embodiment, a fluid container is positioned in the bottom portion and inside the protective portion and the container is supported by the floor member. 
     In another embodiment the container has a spill proof plug. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the container has a spill proof plug and the cap member includes a plunger portion for activating the spill proof plug. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the eductor is back flow tolerant. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sprayer device of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is front view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a back view thereof, 
     FIG. 4 is a right side view thereof, 
     FIG. 5 is a left side view thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the nozzle for a hose employed with the sprayer device; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of the filter chamber and filter; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cap member engaging a plug on a container of chemical concentrate; and 
     FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the plug on the container without engagement of the cap member; 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the portable sprayer device generally  10  includes a frame member  12  having a bottom portion  14  for supporting a container  16  of chemical concentrate. The frame member  12  includes two side portions  18  and  19  with a support flange  22  extending from side portion  18  for supporting an eductor  24 . The preferred eductor  24  is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,338, which teachings are incorporated herein by reference. 
     A valve member  26  is supported by openings (not shown) through the side portions  18  and  19  at the top thereof. Valve member  26  has a handle portion  25  and an on/off valve portion  27 . A preferred valve member  26  is the Shower Torch available from Liberty Home Products, Inc., Company. A hose connector  28  with gate valve  29  is connected to valve member  26  at one end. At the opposite end a connector  30  connects the valve member  26  to a filter chamber  32 , which connects with a part of eductor  24 . A combined connector and support  34  supports eductor  24  on support flange  22  and connects the eductor  24  to the hose  50 . As shown in FIG. 9 the filter chamber  32  generally includes a cap  111  which when opened exposes a filter flange  113  to which is connected a filter  112 , which is preferable made from a fine wire mesh, is attached to said filter flange  113 . 
     A cap member  40  is threadably engaged on container  16 , the cap member  40  being connected to tube  42  by the connection  44  and the tube  42  placed in fluid communication with the eductor  24  by the connection  45 . An air vent  47  with a check valve (not shown) extends though cap member  40 . 
     As seen in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  6  and  7 , the flexible hose  50  includes a rigid section  51  and an angled nozzle  53 . This flexible hose  50  affords versatility in spraying while the rigid section  51  gives the user a comfortable grip and can further act as a insulator when used with hot or cold solutions. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, it is seen that the nozzle  53  includes an annular member  57  which directs flow though aperture  56 . Although eductor  24  is back flow tolerant, the annular member  57  affords a more direct and unobstructed flow thus allowing for a greater height differential between the nozzle  53  and the eductor  24 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, a strap  55  extends across the bottom portion  14 . This is for the purpose of supporting container  16  in the bottom portion  14 . In a preferred embodiment, bottom portion  14  is composed of an impact resistant plastic with side portions  18  and  19  composed of steel. 
     As seen in FIG. 10 there is shown the cap member  40  engaged on the plug  75  on the container  16 . FIG. 11 illustrates the plug  75  without engagement of the cap member  40 . This plug  75  is the subject of commonly assigned patent application Ser. No. 09/368,986 filed Aug. 15, 1999 which teachings are fully incorporated herein by reference. As described in application Ser. No. 09/368,986, plug  75  is positioned on container  16  which includes a neck  77 . The plug  75  includes an end wall  78  and a side wall  79 . A core section  80  is provided defining a chamber  81  in the plug  75  and receives a valve assembly generally  83  having a valve member  84  with a tubular potion  86  having lateral passages  85 . A valve sleeve  87  is retained in a collar section  88  by the undercut  89  and sealing bead  90 . Valve member  87  is retained in the core section  80  by a valve retainer  93  which is connected to the plug  75  by the sealing bead  94  and the undercut  95  in the plug  75 . A spring  96  rests on base  97  of the plug  75  and is biased against the valve member  84 . A sealing flap  100  extends from end wall  78  to engage a side of band wall  101  to provide a seal between the plug  75  and the bottleneck  77 . 
     A plurality of flexible fingers  103  extend from the under side of the plug  75  and have flange sections  104  for engagement with the rib  105  on the neck  77  of the bottle. There is also a guide projection  106  for orientation purposes. A nozzle  108  extends from collar section  88  for connection with pick up tube  109 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, cap member  40  includes a plunger member  60  provided by annular section  61  and head member  63 , which are connected by the undercut  58  and the sealing bead  59 . An O-ring is shown at  64  and an orifice  65  is provided through the head member  63 . A check valve  71  is disposed in cap member  40  and has the ball  67  biased against valve seat  66  as well as valve seat member  69  by the spring  70 . An orifice  68  extends through the valve seat member  69 . Cap member  40  is retained on bottle  16  by the threads  72  engaging the threads  73  on the plug  75 . A sealing gasket  41  is placed between the cap member  41  and the plug  75 . 
     OPERATION 
     A better understanding of the portable sprayer devise  10  will be had by a description of its operation. 
     Cap member  40  is threadably placed on plug  75 , which causes plunger member  60  to depress valve member  84  as shown in FIG.  10 . This moves the passages  85  in tubular portion  86  out of sealing contact with valve sleeve  87  and provides a flow path of the cleaning concentrate from pick up tube  109 , though passages  85  of tubular portion  92 , orifices  65  and  68  to tubular connection  44  and ultimately to tube  42 , as seen in FIG.  1 . At the same time a venting of the container  16  is afforded by an opening (not shown) in the base  97  of the plug  75  and a flow path extending around the valve member  84  and between valve member  84  and valve retainer  93 . 
     A source of pressurized water such as from a hose is connected to hose connector  28 . A chemical concentrate such as a cleaner, a sanitizer, a degreaser, insecticide, or any other chemical concentrate contained in the container  16 . Valve portion  27  of valve member  26  is placed in the “ON” position, which allows water to flow through the eductor  24  to siphon the chemical concentrate from container  16  into the water and mix therewith. The mixed solution is then sprayed through hose  50  and nozzle  53 . 
     An important feature of the portable sprayer device  10  is the frame member  12  with the protective bottom portion  14 . As this is a portable device and will be carried about while spraying, it is exposed to various objects such as walls, furniture, machines, doorways, etc. The frame member  12  with the bottom portion  14  and the side portions  18  and  19  protect the container  16  from undesired contact and possible breakage. Further, the bottom portion  14  protects the bottom of the container  16  from sudden impact, should the sprayer device be inadvertently dropped or placed on a surface in a forceful manner. 
     It will thus be seen that there is now provided a portable sprayer device wherein the container of chemical concentrate is protected from damage. The sprayer device has been illustrated without a guard for the eductor  24 . If desired one can be provided and supported on the support flange  22 . Also, while the bottom portion  14  has been shown to have a particular height, this can be varied with as small of height as possible for reduced weight purposes yet of sufficient height to provide protection for the container  16 . The plug described above may also be of a different type which is the subject of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,948 issued Jan. 26, 1999 which teachings are fully incorporated herein by reference. All such and other modifications within the spirit of the invention are meant to be within its scope as defined by the appended claims.