PURGEABLE INJECTION APPARATUS FOR SPILL-FREE REPLENISHMENT OF EMBEDDED FOUNDATION PRESERVATION WRAPS

The present injection apparatus is designed for replenishing embedded foundation preservation wraps with preservative whilst avoiding spillage. The injection apparatus comprises an injection bayonet having a lumen fluidly interfacing a plurality of preservative outlet nozzles along the injection bayonet and a preservative inlet fluidly interfacing the lumen. A portable preservative containing tank may be attached to the inlet via a flexible hose. The apparatus further comprises a syringe operating between the preservative inlet and the lumen. When replenishing the preservation wrap, the injection bayonet is inserted between the preservation wrap and the foundation so that preservative is configured to be supplied via the preservative inlet to flow out from the nozzles via the lumen to replenish the preservation wrap with the preservative. After replenishment, the lumen is purged of residual preservative using the syringe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to injection apparatus for replenishing embedded foundation preservation wraps with preservative which is purgeable to avoid spillage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chemical preservatives are used for preservation of embedded foundations, such as of wooden telegraph poles and the like.

For example, GB 937744 A (BURT BOULTON AND HAYWOOD LTD; WILLIAM EDWARD FINCH) 25 Sep. 1963 discloses a method of wood preservation of utility poles using a liquid creosote wood preservative composition and bandage material wrapped thereabout. The bandage material has an inner absorbent pad such as of cotton and an exterior protective liner such as of polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Chemical preservatives may be toxic and therefore safe handling thereof is desirous. It is especially desirous for a chemical applicator system for application of chemical preservatives for embedded foundation protection without spillage which may come into contact with the user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

There is provided herein injection apparatus for replenishing embedded foundation preservation wraps with preservative which is purgeable to avoid any spillage.

The injection apparatus comprises an injection bayonet having a lumen fluidly interfacing a plurality of preservative outlet nozzles along the injection bayonet and a preservative inlet fluidly interfacing the lumen. A portable preservative containing tank may be attached to the inlet via a flexible hose.

The apparatus further comprises a syringe operating between the preservative inlet and the lumen.

When replenishing the preservation wrap, the injection bayonet is inserted between the preservation wrap and the foundation so that preservative is supplied via the preservative inlet to flow out from the nozzles via the lumen to replenish the preservation wrap with the preservative.

After replenishment, the lumen is purged of residual preservative using the syringe.

As such, residual preservative is purged from the lumen of the injection bayonet, thereby reducing or eliminating dripping or spillage which could otherwise come into contact with the operator.

According to a first embodiment shown inFIG.1, a plunger piston of the syringe does not reciprocate within the lumen and the apparatus may comprise a shut-off valve operating between the syringe and the preservative inlet.

According to this first embodiment, after the replenishment, the lumen is purged by depressing a plunger of the syringe to purge residual preservative from the lumen of the injection bayonet. In embodiments, the plunger may be retracted again to suck any preservative yet remaining within the lumen away from the nozzles.

According to a second embodiment shown inFIG.6, the plunger piston reciprocates within the lumen. As such, when replenishing the preservation wrap, the plunger piston is positioned away from between the preservative inlet and the lumen so that preservative can flow from the preservative inlet into the lumen. Furthermore, after the replenishment, the plunger is depressed to purge any remaining preservative from the lumen via the nozzles. Similarly, after depressing the plunger, the plunger may again be retracted to suck any further remaining preservative within the lumen away from the nozzles.

In embodiments, the piston plunger may be positionable at the preservative inlet to block fluid flow passage between the preservative inlet and the lumen.

The piston plunger is preferably retained in this position during transportation and the like to prevent preservative leaking between the inlet and the lumen of the injection bayonet. This piston plunger position may also serve as a failsafe mechanism in case the shut-off valve of the first embodiment accidentally opens.

According to the first embodiment shown inFIG.1, the injection bayonet may be bendable and made of plastic. Furthermore, in accordance with this embodiment, the injection bayonet may be disconnected from the syringe.

According to the second embodiments shown inFIG.6, the apparatus may be made of metallic componentry.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.2shows a system100comprising an embedded foundation101and a preservation wrap102surrounding the embedded foundation101.

The embedded foundation101may be that of a wooden utility pole, metallic pier or the like and the preservation wrap102may be impregnated with preservative to preserve the embedded foundation101.

The preservation wrap102may comprise an inner absorbent mat104which is impregnated with the preservative and which lies against the exterior surface of the foundation101. The mat104may be protected by an exterior impregnable sheet103, such as of plastic. The mat104preferably comprises nonwoven polypropylene fibres. Hydrophobic properties of the polypropylene fibres make the polypropylene mat104uniquely suited for embedding in soil below groundline132.

The preservative may comprise a bactericide, fungicide or the like. The preservative may comprise wood preservative such as copper naphthenate or a corrosion inhibitor such as zinc naphthenate. The preservative may be an oil-based preservative.

The system100further comprises injection apparatus105as is shown inFIG.1in accordance with a first embodiment or as is shown inFIG.6in accordance with a second embodiment.

The injection apparatus105comprises a relatively thin injection bayonet106. As is shown inFIG.2, the injection bayonet106is designed to insert between the preservation wrap102and the foundation101.

The injection bayonet106has an interior delivery lumen107fluidly interfacing a plurality of preservative outlet nozzles108along the injection bayonet106.

The injection apparatus105further comprises a preservative inlet109fluidly interfacing the lumen107. A flexible hose may connect the preservative inlet109to a portable tank of preservative. Preservative may flow from the tank by gravity feed or, alternatively, the tank may be pressurised or comprise an electric pump.

The injection apparatus105further comprises a syringe110operating between the preservative inlet109and the lumen107. The syringe110may have a plunger112having plunger piston114.

According to the embodiment shown inFIG.1, the plunger piston114reciprocates within a barrel114away from the injection bayonet106. Alternatively, according to the embodiment ofFIG.6, the plunger piston114reciprocates within the lumen107.

The apparatus105may comprises a shut-off valve111operating between the syringe110and the preservative inlet109.

As shown inFIG.2, the injection bayonet106is configured to be inserted between the preservation wrap102and the embedded foundation101. When the injection bayonet106is inserted, preservative may be supplied to the inlet109so that the preservative can flow out from the nozzles108via the lumen107to replenish the mat104of the preservation wrap102with the preservative.

According to the first embodiment ofFIG.1, after replenishment, the injection bayonet106may be purged of preservative by closing the shut-off valve111and depressing the plunger112so that the piston114purges excess preservative from the lumen107of the injection bayonet106. In embodiments, the plunger112may again be retracted to suck in a yet residual preservative within the lumen107away from the nozzles108.

According to the second embodiment ofFIG.6, during replenishment, the plunger112may be retracted so that the piston114is positioned away from between the inlet109and the lumen107as is illustrated inFIG.4so that the preservative can flow freely from the inlet109and out from the nozzles108. After the replenishment, the plunger112may be depressed to purge remaining preservative from the lumen107via the nozzles108. The plunger112may again be retracted to suck any further remaining preservative within the lumen107away from the nozzles108, if required.

As such, according to either embodiment ofFIG.1orFIG.6, the lumen107of the injection bayonet106is purged of excess preservative thereby avoiding dripping or leaking of preservative after replenishing the preservation wrap102which may come into contact with the user.

FIG.4shows wherein the plunger piston114is positioned away from between the preservative inlet109and the lumen107so that the preservative can freely flow from the preservative inlet109into the lumen107.

FIG.3shows wherein the plunger piston114is positionable at the preservative inlet109to block the preservative inlet109so that the preservative cannot flow between the preservative inlet109and the lumen107. In this position, the plunger piston114provides a failsafe mechanism to prevent preservative flow between the inlet109and the lumen107, including in case the shut-off valve111accidentally opens. The plunger piston114may be placed in this position when transporting the apparatus105.

In embodiments, the shut-off valve111is a manual shut-off valve such as wherein the shut-off valve111is barrel shut-off valve which is configured to be manually opened or closed by the user. Alternatively, the shut-off valve111may be an automatic shut-off valve which automatically opens under positive pressure at the preservative inlet109.

The syringe110is preferably a substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the injection bayonet106so that the apparatus105is configured to be inserted upright and closely against the foundation101as is shown inFIG.2.

The nozzles108are preferably arranged only on an exterior surface of the injection bayonet106so that the preservative flows directly into the mat104of the preservation wrap102.

An exterior surface of the injection bayonet106may be generally convex in longitudinal cross-section. Furthermore, a rear surface of the injection bayonet106may be planar to lie flat against the foundation101.

According to the embodiments shown inFIGS.1,2and5, the injection bayonet106is bendable and made of plastic. In accordance with this embodiment, the injection bayonet106may be made from an injection moulding, 3D printing or similar process.

In accordance with this embodiment, the injection bayonet106may be disconnected from the syringe110. Specifically, the injection bayonet106may comprises a syringe connection hub116. The syringe connection hub116may comprise a threaded bore within which a corresponding threaded end of the syringe110is turned to connect the syringe110and the injection bayonet106.

The planar rear surface of the injection bayonet106may continually extend behind the connection hub116.

FIG.6shows an alternative embodiment wherein the apparatus105may be made of metallic componentry, such as brass or other metal compatible with the type of preservative used.

In accordance with this embodiment, the apparatus105may comprise a profiled backing plate120integrally forming a distal bayonet backing portion121and a proximal syringe backing portion122.

The distal bayonet backing portion121may be relatively narrow and may be sharpened to a point123.

The proximal syringe backing portion122may comprise a series of tabs125which may provide purchase to insert or remove the apparatus105.

The apparatus105may further comprise a semicylindrical tube portion124attached to the backing plate120. The semicylindrical tube portion124and the backing plate120define the lumen107therebetween. Furthermore, the plunger piston114may reciprocate within the lumen107according to this embodiment.

The semicylindrical tube portion124may define a distal bayonet fronting portion126having the series of nozzles108therethrough. A half cone tip131may interface a distal end of the semicylindrical tube portion124.

The semicylindrical tube portion124may further define a proximal syringe fronting portion127.

The proximal syringe fronting portion127may define a longitudinal channel128along the length of the proximal syringe fronting portion127. A handle115may extend from one side of the plunger112so as to be able to travel along the length of the longitudinal channel128.

The proximal syringe fronting portion127may further comprise a proximal locking slot129and a distal locking slot130. The plunger112may be rotated to engage the handle115within the proximal locking slot129to hold the plunger112fully retracted or within the distal locking slot129to hold the plunger112fully inserted.

A further locking slot (not shown) may be provided to position the plunger piston114at the preservative inlet109as shown inFIG.3to block the inlet109.

Utilisation of the injection apparatus105according to the first embodiment shown inFIGS.1,2and5to replenish an embedded foundation101preservation wrap102may comprise keeping the plunger piston114in the closed position shown in FIG.3so that preservative cannot leak between the inlet109and the lumen107during transportation and the like. Where the shut-off valve111is a manual shut-off valve, the manual shut-off valve111may be kept closed.

During replenishment, the injection bayonet106in inserted between the foundation101and the preservation wrap102in the manner shown inFIG.2.

The plunger piston114is positioned in the open position shown inFIG.4so that preservative can flow or be pumped via the preservative inlet109to seep via the nozzles108to impregnate the mat104of the preservation wrap102.

Once a sufficient volume of preservative has been injected, the shut-off valve111may be closed (or close automatically under lack of positive pressure via the preservative inlet109or negative pressure caused by the syringe110as alluded to above) whereafter the plunger112is depressed so that any residual preservative is purged from the lumen107of the injection bayonet106so that little or no preservative remains to drips from the injection bayonet106. In embodiments, the plunger112may again be retracted to suck in yet residual preservative from the lumen107away from the nozzles108.

Using the injection apparatus105according to the second embodiment shown inFIG.7to replenish the preservation wrap102may comprise positioning the plunger piston114above the preservative inlet109as is illustrated inFIG.4so that preservative can flow from preservative inlet109and from the nozzles108by the lumen107into the mat104. The plunger112may be locked in the fully retracted position by rotating the handle115into the proximal locking slot129. In the fully retracted position, the plunger piston114would be just above the inlet109.

Once sufficient volume of preservative has been injected, the plunger112is depressed to purge remaining preservative from the lumen107of the injection bayonet106form the nozzles108. The plunger112may be locked in the fully inserted position by rotating the handle115into the distal locking slot130.

Preferably, the plunger112is also subsequently fully retracted again to suck any further remaining preservative away from the nozzles108. Once retracted, the handle115may be rotated into the yet further proximal locking slot to keep the plunger piston114in the blocking position shown inFIG.3.

It should be noted that the configuration of the embodiment shown inFIG.6wherein the plunger piston114reciprocates within the lumen107of the injection bayonet106need not require the aforedescribed shut-off valve111.