Abstract:
This multipurpose device for dispensing paints or chemicals replaces aerosol cans and custom equipment for spraying paint. Constructed of stainless steel, brass, and Teflon®, the reusable chemical caddie can be used to dispense solvents, paints, and a broad range of materials which will not corrode stainless steel. The reusable chemical caddie eliminates the contamination of the atmosphere with traditional propellants, utilizing compressed air as a propellant. The reusable nature of the reusable chemical caddie eliminates the contamination that results from residual toxic materials and that are invariably discarded when traditional spray cans are discarded into landfills. It is portable, and with an increased capacity as compared to traditional spray cans, is ideally suited for commercial applications.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Chemicals, solvents, and paints are traditionally distributed in aerosol cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, or metal cans. Aerosol cans offer the advantage of permitting the material to be distributed in a precise flow and pattern, with the disadvantage of high packaging costs and a low amount of material delivered per can. Aerosol cans also tend to be easily misplaced, discarded after only a portion of the contents of the can are dispensed, and these cans are difficult to account for and are easily misplaced. 
     Many manufacturing and maintenance facilities utilize numerous solvents and paints in the course of their business, and utilize many different methods of distributing and accounting for these chemicals. It is not unusual to find the same solvent or chemical distributed in several different ways, with widely differing costs, in the same facility. These industries have been searching for an economical, environmentally friendly method to dispense various materials that are used within their facilities. Equipment which is safe and which provides a single solution to their needs is now available, through the invention claimed. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Industry has long sought reliable and reusable equipment for dispensing chemicals and paints. Earlier inventors have solved some, but not all, of the problems facing industry. Special purpose equipment is commonplace, but there are few inventions with the flexibility to provide a single solution for dispensing solvents, paints, and other chemicals. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,733,724 provides a tank with an agitator for spraying paint. The lid of the sprayer is held in place by a plurality of bolts, prone to damage, and the unit has no handle, and is thus limited in being easily moved. It is reusable, but not easily labeled, and does not have a safety pressure relief valve, relying instead on a pressure control valve, which if improperly set, would allow the tank to become overly pressurized, and to explode. The agitating member features an integrated motor, as opposed to utilizing an electric drill to agitate the contents as needed. The agitator and dip tubes are exposed upon the removal of the lid, making them prone to damage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,535 discloses a second spray painting system, equipped with a pressure relief valve which is selectively enabled. If the tank is pressurized with the valve in the “off” position, the pressure relief valve would not prevent over pressurization. In addition, the system is stationary, and not suited for dispensing chemicals or paints to their location of use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,025,006 discloses a third spray painting system on casters for portable use, with a spray nozzle assembly designed to mix pressurized air and paint to propel a fine mist of paint. Pressure of paint fed to the nozzle is not controlled by the system, but rather is monitored by the operator by means of a gauge, and the nozzle is adjusted to compensate for the changes in pressure that occur as the tank is used and the contents are emptied. 
     Each of these aforementioned patents utilize a fixed motor to operate an agitation mechanism, and are purpose built for dispensing paint. The claimed invention will dispense paint, but it is not limited to dispensing paint, and can be used to dispense solvents or other chemicals. In addition, the claimed invention solves the problem of regulating the output of material so that it is under a consistent pressure, eliminating the need to constantly adjust the flow control valves in traditional paint spraying nozzles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,245 discloses a backpack sprayer for distributing insect eggs in agricultural applications. This invention utilizes a pressurization system that must be engaged as material is distributed, and is purposely built for one specific function. The device utilizes a magnetically coupled agitation device, with a custom motor and a battery to supply power. It features a dispenser that merges compressed air with material to be dispensed. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,186,391 and 4,154,401 disclose spray units with self-contained pressurization devices, intended to dispense insecticides in the first instance, and solvents in the second. Neither device is multipurpose enough to permit the dispensing of paint or solvents, but are rather purpose built for a specific purpose. Both devices provide a handle integral to the pressurization device, and neither have a method for stirring the contents. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,135,669 and 3,801,015 disclose tanks on wheels with spray nozzles to dispense material under pressure. Neither have a method of stirring the contents. One device has a pressure relief valve, and the other a dedicated compressor. Neither device is suitable for delivering material at a constant pressure over an extended use. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,519,707; 888,693; and 587,890 disclose devices that are stationary and designed for a single purpose. None of these inventions lend themselves to a universal solution to the problem of dispensing different materials in an industrial setting. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,042,310 and 585,503 disclose devices that dispense a spray of material either under the power of a connected device to supply compressed air, or by generating the pressure within. These devices require adjustments as the pressure supply varies, and are not suitable for dispensing the many products in use in an industrial environment. 
     The existing devices are designed to solve the problem of dispensing a single material, such as paint, or do not provide the ability to dispense the product under constant pressure for the entire contents in the container. The current art discloses devices that are complicated, with integral motors that could create hazardous situations with sparks, or devices that are not portable. Current devices that are portable enough to permit the device to be lifted and carried are limited, and those available do not provide the features needed to provide a single solution to industry, in order to permit the dispensing of paints, solvents, and other materials. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention has a stainless steel tank with a removable and resealable lid. An integral stirring mechanism is provided, with a shaft extending beyond the tank, for the attachment of a drill or other power assisted device to turn the stirring shaft. A pressure relief valve is provided, to insure that the tank is not over-pressurized. A stainless steel flexible mesh hose permits the material dispensed to be controlled by a flow control valve, providing precise flow of material. A nozzle and release mechanism permits the dispensed material to be distributed in either a spray or a precise stream. A trigger controls the release mechanism. The mesh reinforced hose permits the operator to position the nozzle by pointing it a surface to receive the dispensed material. A molded plastic sleeve provides an integrated base, handle, and a pocket for placing a label of the tank&#39;s contents. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment in a perspective view from the top, showing the tank and the various connections to the top of the tank. 
     FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment, a version of the invention with a sheath covering the tank. 
     FIG. 3 shows a top view of the tank. 
     FIG. 4 shows a side view of the tank. 
     FIG. 5 shows a section view of the tank. 
     FIG. 6 shows a section view of the lid of the tank, disclosing the seal mechanism. 
     FIG. 7 shows the fittings as they are attached to the top of the tank. 
     FIG. 8 shows the dispensing assembly. 
     FIG. 9 shows the stirring assembly. 
     FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the sheath. 
     FIG. 11 shows a front view of the sheath. 
     FIG. 12 shows a side view of the sheath. 
     FIG. 13 shows a back view of the sheath. 
     FIG. 14 shows a section view of the sheath, viewed from the top. 
     FIG. 15 shows a second section view of the sheath, viewed from the top. 
     FIG. 16 shows a third section view of the sheath, viewed from the top. 
     FIG. 17 shows a section view of the sheath viewed from the side. 
     FIG. 18 shows a section view of the sheath viewed from the back. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention  1  incorporates a commercially available stainless steel tank  10  which incorporates a removable and resealable lid  3  for refilling the tank with material to be dispensed. The material is held in the tank  10  under pressure, which is provided through the pressurization assembly  12 . A stirring assembly  8  is provided to mix the contents of the tank, just prior to dispensing. A dispensing assembly  2  provides a means of regulating and directing the flow of dispensed material. For safety purposes, a pressure relief valve  7  is provided to insure that the tank  10  is not overpressurized. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the tank  10  is a two gallon ASME-code pressure tank, with a capacity of approximately two and one quarter gallons, as manufactured by Alloy Systems, of either 304 or 316L type stainless steel, with a pressure rating of one hundred fifty-five pounds. These commercially available tanks  10  have four female connections  16 , for use with the pressure relief valve  7 , the pressurization assembly  12 , the stirring assembly  8 , and the dispensing assembly  2 . One of the four connections  16  is plugged with a threaded brass plug  32 . The tank  10  also has an internal dip tube  9 , suitable for attaching the dispensing assembly  2 . The dip tube  9  is made of stainless steel, and is attached so as to be parallel to the side walls of the tank  10 . The bottom of the tank  10  is equipped with a depression  11  located at the inlet of the dip tube  9 , so that the dispensed material will be fed by gravity to this depression  11  in the tank  10 . The standard product has an oval refill lid  3  which aligns tightly with the tank by an integral seal  6 , and which is held tightly in place by a retainer clip assembly  13 . To insure that the tank stays upright, a cylindrical base footing  14  is provided by the manufacturer. A handle  15  is provided to assist in moving the reusable chemical Caddie  1  to the point of use. 
     The oval refill lid  3  is held mechanically in place by a clip  4 . The clip  4  is attached to the lid  3  at a pivot point  5 , so that by swinging the handle upwards, pressure is initially increased, and then decreased so as to release the lid  3  from the Teflon® seal  6 . Once released, the lid  3  can be rotated 90 degrees, tilted, and then removed from the tank  10 . Once the tank  10  is refilled, the lid can be replaced by reversing the removal procedure. The lid  3  makes a mechanical connection when the clip  4  is placed in position to hold the lid  3  in place, and is further held tightly to the seal  6  by the pressure inside the tank  10 . 
     The dispensing assembly  2  is made of Teflon®, brass, and stainless steel, using commercially available fittings, tubing, and controls. The assembly is attached to the tank  10  by means of a brass male-female adapter  30 . A brass short nipple  29  is connected to the adapter  30 . A brass 90 degree adapter  28  is attached to the short nipple  29 . An air regulator  27 , as manufactured by DeVibliss as part HAV-512A, is connected to the brass 90 degree adapter  28 . A brass inline female union  26 , having seals made of Teflon®, is attached to the 90 degree adapter  27 . A brass male union  25  is attached to the inline female union  26 . A four foot length of Teflon® tubing, with a stainless steel protecting mesh and integral couplings  24  is attached to the brass male union  25  at one end. A brass male union  23  is attached to the other end of the tubing  24 . The flow control valve  22  is attached to the brass male union  23 . A brass short nipple  21  is attached to the second end of the flow control valve  22  and to a brass swivel fitting  20 . The brass swivel fitting  20  has seals made of Teflon®, and is attached to the spray nozzle assembly  18 , by means of a brass coupling  19 . The spray nozzle assembly is a commercially available unit, as provided by Spray Systems and as labeled the Gunjet 32 series. 
     The pressure relief assembly  7  consists of a commercially available relief valve  37  with threads suitable for attaching the valve  31  to the tank  10 . The relief valve  37  remains closed at pressures below 150 pounds per square inch (PSI), and open when the pressure reaches 150 PSI, thereby preventing an inadvertent overpressurization of the tank  10 . 
     The pressurization assembly  12  permits air, or any other propellant,  5  to be placed into the tank. The assembly  12  consists of a brass short nipple  34  with threads suitable for inserting into the tank  10 , into one of the four female connections  16 . A brass coupling  33  connects the short nipple  34  to a brass reducer  32 . The Brass air supply valve  31  screws into the brass reducer  32 . A source of compressed air mates with the air supply valve  31 , permitting the tank  10  and its contents to be pressurized to a pressure not to exceed 150 PSI. 
     The stirring assembly  8  consists of an agitator in the form of a propeller  35  attached to a stainless steel shaft  38 . The shaft  38  is of a length that permits the propeller  35  to mix the contents of the tank  10  when a minimal amount of material is in the tank  10 , without touching the bottom of the tank  10 . The shaft is 0.250 inch in diameter. In the two gallon tank  10 , the shaft  38  is 8.125 inches long, and the propeller  35  has two blades, which measure two inches, tip to tip. The propeller  35  is welded to the shaft  38 . The shaft  38  passes through a port  39 , which is welded to the tank  10  using stainless fill rod or wire. The port  39  provides a channel for the shaft  38  which is set at an angle of fifteen degrees, so that the shaft  38  is directed to the center of the tank  10 , to the lowest point in the tank  10 . The port  39  has a female threaded end, into which a male/female swivel  40  is threaded. The swivel  40  has a cylindrical bore into which a Teflon® O-Ring  41  is inserted, the diameter of the bore being 0.375 inches, and the O-Ring  41  being 0.1 inch in cross section diameter, and 0.375 inches measured from outer edge to outer edge, so that the O-Ring  41  fits snugly into the cylindrical bore. A compression seal retainer  42  is inserted into the cylindrical bore of the swivel  40 , and is compressed by means of a compression screw  43 , so that the O-Ring  41  makes a pressure tight seal around the shaft  38 . 
     The invention  1  is most effectively used when the pressure regulator is set to 40 PSI, the tank is filled to two thirds capacity (up to one and a half gallons of chemical, paint or solvent to be dispensed, in a two and a quarter gallon tank  10 ), and the tank is pressurized to 110 PSI. When so configured, the invention will deliver a consistent and steady flow of product from the first dispensed, to the last dispensed, leaving little, if any, residual product. This is particularly important in applications that involve the nozzle  18  configured to spray a pattern of material, so that the pattern is consistent throughout the use of the product. 
     The following brass fittings are ¼ NPT: coupling  19 , swivel fitting  20 , short nipple  21 , male union  23 , male union  25 , inline female union  26 , 90 degree elbow  28 , short nipple  29 , male-female adapter  30 , air supply valve  31 , coupling  33 , short nipple  34 , plug  36 , port  39 , male/female swivel  40 , and compression screw  43 . 
     In a second preferred embodiment  17 , the tank  10  is housed and protected in a sheath  44 . The sheath  44  has an interior cylindrical wall  45  with an inward tapering wall, so that the tank  10  fits snugly in the sheath  44 . A small opening  46  in the base of the sheath permits the tank  10  to be inserted tightly, and prevents the compression of air between the tank  10  and the sheath  44  when the tank  10  is inserted into the sheath  44 . Once so inserted, the opening  46  is filled with an epoxy, to form a permanent seal and to prevent the tank  10  from being removed from the sheath  44 . The height of the sheath  44  is configured so as to permit the coiled dispensing assembly  2  to be coiled and placed wholly within the sheath  44 , eliminating the need for a bracket to hold the dispensing assembly  2  and tubing  24 . 
     In the second embodiment, the cylindrical stainless steel footing  14  is removed and replaced with an integral footing  47  molded as part of the sheath  44 . The handle  15  is removed and replaced with an integrally molded handle  48  in the sheath. The sheath  44  is equipped with a blind pocket  49 , recessed into the sheath  44  so that a clear cover  50  is permanently affixed to the sheath  44  to form a pocket into which a label card  51  may be inserted, to identify the contents of the Reusable Chemical Caddie  1 .