Abstract:
According to the present application there is provided a sprayer comprising a housing having a fluid inlet configured for being statically coupled to a fluid source to receive fluid therefrom. The housing further comprises a fluid outlet configured for the discharging the fluid, the distance between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being fixed; The sprayer has a bridge mounted over the housing and comprising a dispersion element configured for dispersing fluid discharged from the fluid outlet of the housing; The bridge is configured for displacement over the housing at least between a closed position in which the dispersion element comes into contact with the fluid outlet to thereby seal it, and an open position in which the dispersion element is spaced from the fluid outlet by a gap, allowing dispersion of the fluid.

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter of the present application refers to sprayers, in particular, sprayers of a pop-up configuration having a protective fluid outlet cover. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Micro-irrigation is a known method in which distributors placed in predetermined areas of a cultivated surface and connected to a system of supply of water under pressure continuously or periodically bring irrigation water to said areas. 
         [0003]    In particular, it is known to provide a micro-sprayer in which a jet of irrigation fluid, provided through an inlet of the sprayer, is emitted from an outlet thereof towards a dispersion element of a predetermined geometric shape configured for dispersing the directional jet into different directions, thereby providing the required irrigation fluid to the areas to be irrigated. 
         [0004]    Examples of such sprayers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,519 to the applicant, as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,769, U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,094 and in various products on the market such as Fan-Jet® (http://www.bowsmith.com/). 
         [0005]    In addition, it is known to provide irrigation emitters with protection against insects and dirt by providing the outlet of the irrigator with a protective sleeve. Examples of this are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,531 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,083,158 to the applicant, as well as in market products such as Fan-Jet Plus® (http://www.bowsmith.com/Catalogs/Fan-Jet%20Plus.pdf) 
         [0006]    Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
       GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    According to one aspect of the subject matter of the present application there is provided a sprayer comprising:
       a housing having a fluid inlet configured for being statically coupled to a fluid source to receive fluid therefrom and a fluid outlet configured for the discharging said fluid, the distance between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet being fixed;   a bridge mounted over the housing and comprising a dispersion element configured for dispersing fluid discharged from the fluid outlet of the housing;       
 
         [0010]    wherein the bridge is configured for displacement over the housing at least between a closed position in which the dispersion element engages the fluid outlet to thereby seal it, and an open position in which the dispersion element is spaced from the fluid outlet by a predetermined operational gap, whereby fluid emitted from the fluid outlet is free to disperse. 
         [0011]    In particular, the arrangement can be such that, in operation, the housing forms a unitary body in which the fluid outlet is stationary with respect to the fluid inlet. According to one example, the housing can be constituted by a single piece, e.g. injection molder article, having one end constituting the fluid inlet and an opposite end constituting the fluid outlet. 
         [0012]    According to another example, the housing can be constituted by an assembly of two or more components. However, it should be noted in this respect that regardless of the existence of any moving components within the housing, the fluid outlet remains fixedly spaced from the fluid inlet. 
         [0013]    The arrangement can be such that the bridge is constantly urged into the closed position and that displacement of the bridge from the closed position to the open position is facilitated by the pressure of fluid emitted through the fluid outlet. In other words, the pressure of the fluid is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the bridge towards the closed position. 
         [0014]    According to one example, the bridge can be biased towards the closed position by virtue of gravitational forces. In this case, in the open position, the bridge is elevated over the fluid outlet and is constantly urged to ‘drop down’ towards the fluid outlet. It should be noted that the sprayer is not limited to a perpendicular vertical orientation (i.e. the dispersion element being located directly above the fluid outlet) and can be tilted, as long as the vertical downwards vector is sufficient for biasing the bridge into the closed position. In this connection, it is appreciated that the greater the angle from the vertical position, the smaller the biasing force and correspondingly, the smaller the pressure required for bringing the bridge into the open position. One advantage of the above arrangement lies in the simplicity of the design and the elimination of additional biasing components. 
         [0015]    According to another example, the sprayer can comprise a biasing arrangement configured for constantly urging the bridge into the closed position. One advantage of such an arrangement lies in the ability to position the sprayer at any orientation, regardless of gravitational forces. One example of a biasing arrangement can be a biasing spring. 
         [0016]    Displacement of the bridge over the housing can be facilitated by guides formed in the housing and the bridge and configured to engage one another to determine a displacement path of the bridge. 
         [0017]    According to one design example, the guides are generally straight/axial, whereby displacement of the bridge over the housing is performed in a linear manner. Alternatively, the guides can be of helical or spiral configuration, whereby displacement of the bridge over the housing entails both axial and rotational movement. 
         [0018]    The bridge can comprise a mounting portion configured for being displaceably fitted over the housing and at least one arm articulating the dispersion element to the mounting portion. 
         [0019]    The sprayer can comprise at least an open limiter configured for restricting displacement of the bridge over the housing beyond the open position, i.e. limiting the distance between the dispersion element and the fluid outlet so as not to exceed the operational gap. The open limiter can also prevent the bridge from disengaging from the housing due to sufficient displacement away from the fluid outlet. 
         [0020]    In the closed position, the fluid outlet itself can serve as a closed limiter, preventing displacement of the bridge over the housing beyond the closed position. Alternatively, the sprayer can comprise a dedicated closed limiter configured for the above purpose. 
         [0021]    The open and the closed limiter can be constituted by an engagement between the housing and the mounting portion of the bridge. In particular, one of the bridge and the housing can comprise a channel having a first end and a second end, and the other of the two can comprise a restricting member configured for being received within the channel and displace therein. 
         [0022]    The arrangement can be such that limiting of the displacement at the open position is provided by engagement of the restricting member with the first end of the channel and limiting of the displacement at the closed position is provided by engagement of the restricting member with the second end of the channel. 
         [0023]    In connection with the above, it is appreciated that the guides of the housing and mounting portion can also function as the closed/open limiters. 
         [0024]    In addition, the bridge can be mounted over the housing by a snap-type arrangement, wherein said arrangement constitutes the top and bottom limiter. In particular, the bridge can comprise a sleeve configured for being mounted over the housing, said sleeve comprising at least one longitudinal recess configured for receiving therein a projection of the housing. 
         [0025]    Displacement of the bridge over the housing can be restricted by a top and bottom ends of the longitudinal recess, configured for abutting the projection in the open/closed positions of the sprayer. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, at least one of the top and bottom ends can be formed with a nook configured for receiving therein a wedge of the projection of the housing, configured for reducing the bridge&#39;s ability to perform a tilting motion about the longitudinal axis. 
         [0027]    According to a particular example, housing can comprise a sleeve having an open end and a rim constituting the fluid outlet of the housing, and a nozzle having a nozzle outlet disposed at or below the level of the rim. Under this configuration, in the second position of the sprayer, the rim of the sleeve is sealed by the dispersing element while the nozzle is located within the sleeve. 
         [0028]    In particular, the sleeve can have a diameter greater than that of the nozzle, thereby yielding an annular basin extending about the nozzle. In addition, the basin can have a bottom surface disposed below the level of the nozzle outlet, whereby dirt, mud and clogging material is accumulated within the basin, around the nozzle, without blocking the nozzle outlet. 
         [0029]    The nozzle can be formed with a shaped opening through which irrigation fluid is configured for being discharged. In particular, the nozzle can comprise several segments between its inlet and outlet so that the diameter of the nozzle is gradually reduced towards the outlet, increasing pressure within the nozzle. 
         [0030]    The sleeve can be provided with at least one drainage opening configured for draining outside the housing of material from the inside the basin. The arrangement can be such that the drainage opening is located below the level of the nozzle outlet, whereby clogging material (dirt, mud etc.) are prevented from blocking the nozzle outlet. 
         [0031]    The dispersion element can be spaced from the mounting portion by virtue of at least one articulating arm having a first end associated with the mounting portion and another end associated with the fluid outlet. 
         [0032]    The articulating arm can be formed with a dividing edge facing said fluid outlet so that in the open position, obstruction of the fluid emitted from the fluid outlet and dispersed by the dispersion element is minimal by the articulating arm. Specifically, a body of fluid discharged from the dispersion element can be divided into at least two sub-bodies when impinging on the dividing edge. 
         [0033]    The sprayer can also comprise a Pressure Compensation Device (PCD) interposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and configured for regulating the fluid flow within the housing, maintaining a desired outlet pressure or a fixed flow rate, regardless of variations in the same at the inlet. Under the above arrangement, the housing can comprise an inlet member and an outlet member configured for attachment to one another, the former comprising the fluid inlet and the latter comprising the fluid outlet. 
         [0034]    The arrangement can be such that the PCD is constituted by an end portion of each of the inlet member and outlet member and additional components (e.g. diaphragm) disposed therebetween. 
         [0035]    In addition, the sprayer can further comprise a Compensation No Leaking (CNL) device configured for preventing leakage from the sprayer when the latter is not in its operational mode, i.e. when the bridge rests on the rim of the outlet. Such a CNL device can be incorporated in conjunction with the PCD and be interposed between the PCD and the outlet of the sprayer. According to a particular design, the CNL device can be configured for maintaining a closing pressure of 0.5 Bar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0037]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic isometric view of a sprayer according to one example of the subject matter of the present application; 
           [0038]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic exploded isometric view of the sprayer shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sprayer bridge of the sprayer shown in  FIG. 1B , taken along plane I-I; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic isometric view of a housing of the sprayer shown in  FIGS. 1A to 2 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the housing shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic front views of the sprayer shown in  FIGS. 1A to 2 , in its respective open and closed positions; 
           [0043]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic isometric view of a sprayer according to another example of the subject matter of the present application; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic exploded isometric view of the sprayer shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sprayer shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , taken along plane II-II; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are schematic front views of the sprayer shown in  FIGS. 5A to 6 , in its respective open and closed positions; 
           [0047]      FIG. 8A  is a schematic isometric view of a sprayer according to another example of the present application; 
           [0048]      FIG. 8B  is a schematic longitudinal cross-section view of the sprayer shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0049]      FIGS. 8C and 8D  are schematic enlarged views of details D and E shown in  FIG. 8B ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 8E  is a schematic enlarged view of a latch member of the sprayer shown in  FIG. 8A ; and 
           [0051]      FIG. 9  is a schematic front view of the irrigation member of the sprayer shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8E . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0052]    Turning to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a sprayer is shown generally designated  1  and comprising a sprayer bridge  10  mounted over a sprayer housing  30  in a displaceable manner The bridge  10  further comprises a dispersion element  20  configured for dispersing fluid emitted from the sprayer housing  30 . The housing  30  further comprises an engagement arrangement  40  configured for allowing controlled displacement of the bridge  10  over the housing  30 . 
         [0053]    The sprayer housing  30  is constituted by a single injection molded body  32  having an inlet end  34  and an opposite outlet end  36  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) about which is elevated a protecting sleeve  36 ′. The inlet end  34  is configured for fixed attachment to a fluid source (a tank, a pipe etc.) via an attachment portion  33  having a dedicated thread  31 . 
         [0054]    The engagement arrangement  40  of the housing  30  comprises two lateral wings  42  which are inwardly depressible with respect to the housing body  32 , each wing  42  comprising a snap-type latch  44  projecting outwardly from the housing body  32 . The wings  42  are arranged diametrically opposite one another, i.e. disposed at 180° about a longitudinal axis X of the housing  32 . 
         [0055]    The engagement arrangement  40  further comprises two longitudinal guides  46 , also diametrically opposed, but angularly spaced 90° from the wings  42 . The guides  46  extend the majority of the length of the housing body  32  and are formed, at an end thereof closer to the fluid outlet  36  protected by the sleeve  36 ′, with restricting projections  48 , configured for restricting the movement of the bridge in a non-axial direction (i.e. limiting circular runout of the bridge). 
         [0056]    In addition, it is noted that the housing further comprise two protrusions C configured for reducing the radial degree of freedom of the bridge over the housing, at least when in the open position thereof. Specifically, the protrusions C bridge the gap formed between the bridge  10  and the housing  30 . 
         [0057]    With additional reference being made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the housing  32  is hollow and accommodates therein an outlet nozzle  39  having an outlet channel  37 . It is appreciated that the diameter of the channel  37  is considerably smaller than the diameter of a channel  35  leading thereto from the fluid inlet  34 , the diameter being defined according to the desired flow-rate through the sprayer  1 . 
         [0058]    It is observed that there extends an annular basin B about the nozzle  39 , configured for accumulating therein of clogging material (e.g. dirt, mud etc.). The arrangement is such that the basin floor F is located much lower than the outlet  37  of the nozzle  39 , whereby such accumulated material does not block the nozzle  39 . 
         [0059]    In addition, it is appreciated that there are two slots  47  extending on both sides of the housing, configured, among other things, for drainage of accumulated material from the basin B. A top-most end of the slots  47  is also located below the level of the nozzle outlet  37 , so that material accumulated in the basin F can be drained from the housing before rising to a level blocking the nozzle  39 . 
         [0060]    The bridge  10  comprises a hollow mounting portion  12  configured for receiving therein the sprayer housing  32 . The mounting portion  12  is formed with two diametrically opposed windows  13  configured for slidingly receiving therein the snap-type latches  44  of the engagement arrangement  40  and two diametrically opposed slots  17  configured for receiving therein the guides  46 . 
         [0061]    The bridge  10  comprises a round top structure constituted by two diametrically opposed arms  14  extending from the mounting portion  12  and meeting at a bridge head  18  elevated over the mounting portion  12 . The dispersion element  20  is integrally formed with the bridge head  18  and disposed between it and the mounting portion  12 . 
         [0062]    It is also observed that each of the arms  14  is formed with two sloping surfaces  16  forming a dividing ridge  16  facing the central axis of the sprayer  1 . In operation, the dividing ridge  16  serves to prevent obstruction of the fluid dispersed by the crown  20 . 
         [0063]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4Aa and 4B , the sprayer  1  is shown attached to a fluid source B via the attachment portion  33 . It is noted that this attachment is fixed (i.e. the housing  32  does not displace with respect to the source B at least during operation). 
         [0064]    In the position shown in  FIG. 4A , the sprayer  1  is in its closed position, the mounting portion  12  of the bridge  10  being received over a bottom portion of the housing body  32  so that the dispersion element  20  rests on the rim of the protecting sleeve  36 ′, thereby sealing it. It is also noted that in the above position, the top end  13   b  of the window  13  is proximal to the latch  44 . In the above position, fluid is not passed between the inlet  34  and the outlet  36 , and the sleeve  36 ′ is sealed, preventing from dirt and insects from passing into the hollow  38  of the housing body  32  (which may disrupt operation of the sprayer  1 ). 
         [0065]    Turning now to  FIG. 4B , in operation, fluid passed into the inlet  34  and emitted from the nozzle  37  as a fluid jet is emitted from the outlet  36  at sufficient pressure as to elevate the crown  20  over the rim of the sleeve  36 ′. Under such pressure, the entire bridge  10  is displaced upwards so that there is formed a gap g between the crown  20  and the sleeve  36 ′. 
         [0066]    In this position, fluid emitted from the outlet  36  impacts the crown  20  which then disperses the fluid jet by virtue of its geometric shape—teeth  24  arranged about the crown body  22 . It is also noted that fluid is dispersed from the crown  20  in a radially outwards direction, whereby the shape of the arm  14  and in particular the dividing ridge  16  prevent obstruction of the emitted fluid. 
         [0067]    It is also noted that the sprayer  1  is a directional sprayer which is designed to disperse fluid in only a predetermined sector. Specifically in the described example, the crown teeth  24  cover only about 270° (and not the entire  360 ). However, it is appreciated that a plurality of dispersion crowns can be contemplated, each having a different dispersion profile based on specific irrigation requirements. 
         [0068]    In the open position shown in  FIG. 4 , the pressure of the fluid pushes the bridge upwards but its movement is restricted by the latches  44  of the wings  42 . In particular, in the open position, the bottom portion  13   a  of the window  13  abuts the latches  44 , which prevent further upward displacement of the bridge  10 . 
         [0069]    Once fluid flow is ceased, the pressure on the crown  20  drops, whereby the entire bridge  10  falls back to its closed position (shown in  FIG. 4A ), by virtue of gravitational forces. 
         [0070]    It is noted that in both position, closed and open, shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the fluid inlet  34  remains fixed and the distance of the fluid outlet  36  does not vary with respect to the fluid inlet  34 . To the contrary, the mobile part of the sprayer  1  is the bridge  10  and not the fluid outlet  36 . 
         [0071]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , another example of a sprayer is shown, generally designated  1 ′. Under this design, the sprayer  1 ′ comprises a similar bridge  10 , but a modified housing  30 ′ which is configured for articulation to an additional member  50  and comprising a flow-rate regulator  60 . 
         [0072]    Under this arrangement, the housing  30 ′ comprises the sleeve  36 ″ and the additional member  50  comprises the fluid inlet  54  which is configured for fixed attachment to a fluid source. 
         [0073]    A bottom portion of the housing  30 ′ is formed with a flow-rate regulator structure  60  configured for accommodating a sealing ring  80  and a diaphragm  70 , for the purpose of regulating fluid flow from the inlet  54  to the outlet  39 ′, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0074]    The operation of the sprayer  1 ′ is essentially identical to the operation of sprayer  1 , with the difference being in the structure of the housing  30 ′. In particular, in this case as well, the fluid inlet  54  remains in fixed attachment to the source via its connecting portion  53 , and the distance between the fluid inlet  54  and the fluid outlet  39 ′ remains fixed. 
         [0075]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8A to 9 , another embodiment of a sprayer is shown, generally designated  101 , and which is similar to the previously described sprayer  1 ′. Elements of sprayer  101  similar to those of sprayer  1 ′ are designated by the same reference numbers, upped by a  100 , so that element  132  of sprayer  101  is similar to element  32 ′ of sprayer  1 ′ etc. 
         [0076]    The sprayer  101  differs from the sprayer  1 ′ by the design of several elements as will be described below. 
         [0077]    First of all, the nozzle is not in the form of a straight channel (as nozzle  37 ′), and now comprises three segments: a top straight segment  137   a  of a small diameter, a conical/tapering segment  137   b  and a bottom straight segment  137   c,  thereby defining a tapering shape of the nozzle. Using a diverging design of the nozzle can facilitate better emission of fluid from the sprayer and more convenient control over the pressure of the irrigation fluid within the nozzle. 
         [0078]    Secondly, the latch  134  is provided with a projection  135  which is configured for being received within a corresponding nook  115  of the bridge member  110 . Engagement between the projection  135  and nook  115  facilitates restricting the spray member  130  from performing a tilting movement about the longitudinal axis of the sprayer  101 . 
         [0079]    Furthermore, with particular reference being made to  FIG. 9 , it is noted that one of the guide members  148  of the sprayer is provided with a flat portion  149  configured for providing a more efficient plastic molding process when manufacturing the sprayer. In particular, this flat portion  149  is formed by a piece of the mold allowing more convenient injection of the molten plastic during injection molding. 
         [0080]    Another difference between the sprayer  101  and the sprayer  1 ′ lies in the configuration of the bottom portion  162  of element  160  which is configured for holding the diaphragm in place. Under the present design, the bottom portion  162  comprises legs  164  circumferentially spaced about the central axis of the sprayer and configured for retaining therein the diaphragm. 
         [0081]    Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.