Abstract:
A sprayer has a sprayer outlet and a pressurizable reservoir adapted to contain a fluid. The reservoir has an air-pressure outlet and a reservoir outlet, the reservoir outlet being in fluid connection with the sprayer outlet. Detachable, pressurizable tanks are adapted to contain a chemical, each tank having a chemical outlet and an air-pressure inlet. Each air-pressure inlet is in fluid connection with the air-pressure outlet of the reservoir for equalizing air pressure between the reservoir and each tank. A switch is adjustable between a plurality of settings for causing at least one of the chemical outlets to be in fluid connection with the sprayer outlet. A ratio valve is provided for selecting a fluid flow rate out of the selected outlet. Fluids flowing into the sprayer outlet from the outlets are mixed together prior to discharge from the sprayer outlet.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/630,996, filed 24, Nov. 2004, titled “Multiple Chemical Sprayer”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to sprayers, and more particularly to household and landscaping sprayers that can hold multiple chemicals. 
     2.Background 
     Portable sprayers are well known for usage around the home, landscaping, and commercial businesses. Typical usage includes the application of water soluble chemicals as well as chemicals that may me mixed with water for application purposes. Examples include pesticides and herbicides, but may also include other applications such as pigments or curing agents for cement and cleaning chemicals to aid in washing vehicles. The above uses are examples only; many other uses are known and will be discovered for portable sprayers. 
     A problem with current sprayers is that the chemical to be sprayed is mixed with a volume of water and placed into the sprayer. The ratio of chemical to water is then fixed and the sprayer may only spray that one chemical at that one ratio. If multiple chemicals are needed, then multiple sprayers will have to be prepared. For example, in maintaining a property a broad spectrum herbicide may be desired that will kill all leafy green vegetation along a fence line, at the same time a narrow spectrum herbicide may be needed for killing weeds in a grassy area without harming the grass, while at the same time an insecticide may be desired for application to ant mounds or other insect infestations. The person doing the maintenance may not know how much of each chemical would be needed, but suspects that all three may be needed. Therefore, the person prepares three full tanks; one of each chemical. As the day progresses it may be that one herbicide was needed frequently while the other chemicals were not, therefore, the person must refill one sprayer, and store the other two after not using them completely. 
     A further problem with current sprayers is that many chemicals are corrosive and can damage the sprayer if stored in the sprayer for long periods. This requires either that the sprayer be made of expensive, corrosion-resistant materials or that any unused chemical mixture be disposed of instead of stored. This is a waste of chemical mixture and can cause waste-disposal problems, depending on the nature of the chemical. 
     Another problem with existing sprayers is that certain applications may require varying ratios of chemical to water based on the usage. For example, a high ratio of fungicide may be used on a plant with obvious signs of fungal infestation, while a lower ratio may be used on a plant that needs only preventive treatment. This requires two different sprayers for the same chemical. 
     One result of the use of multiple sprayers is that the person doing the spraying must have a vehicle to carry so many sprayers. Even if each sprayer alone is handheld, three sprayers together require a vehicle to transport efficiently. This can increase maintenance costs significantly. 
     In response to the above problems there have been some attempts that include multiple tanks attached to a larger carrier. This eases some of the physical limitations of the simple sprayer, but does not address the problems that arise from having to prepare the chemical before usage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, there is a need for a sprayer with the ability to spray multiple chemicals combined with water from a single water reservoir. It would be a further advantage if the sprayer allowed for varying chemical-to-water ratios for each chemical and for different applications of a single chemical. A further advantage would be if only the chemical being used is mixed with water so that any unused chemical may be stored in a more compact solution. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a sprayer that allows for the mixing of multiple chemicals with water for different applications. It is a further object of this invention to provide a sprayer that allows for changing between at least two different chemicals and for setting the ratio of chemical to water based on the application. 
     These and other objects are achieved by providing a sprayer having a sprayer outlet and a pressurizable reservoir adapted to contain a fluid. The reservoir has an air-pressure outlet and a reservoir outlet, the reservoir outlet being in fluid connection with the sprayer outlet. Detachable, pressurizable tanks are adapted to contain a chemical, each tank having a chemical outlet and an air-pressure inlet. Each air-pressure inlet is in fluid connection with the air-pressure outlet of the reservoir for equalizing air pressure between the reservoir and each tank. A switch is adjustable between a plurality of settings for causing at least one of the chemical outlets to be in fluid connection with the sprayer outlet. A ratio valve is provided for selecting a fluid flow rate out of the selected outlet. Fluids flowing into the sprayer outlet from the outlets are mixed together prior to discharge from the sprayer outlet. 
     The present invention provides several significant advantages, including: (1) providing the selection of more than one chemical from a single sprayer; (2) providing varying application ratios for each chemical; (3) providing varying application ratios for a single chemical based on application; (4) reducing the waste of chemicals caused by preparing more than what is needed due to uncertainty; and (5) reducing the need for multiple sprayers and thereby reducing the work involved in spraying multiple chemicals. 
     Additional objectives, features, and advantages will be apparent from the written description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as, a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-chemical sprayer of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic flow diagram of a multi-chemical sprayer of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a one-way valve assembly used in the sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the sprayer of  FIG. 1  with containers removed; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the one-way valve assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the selector valve used in the sprayer of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the ratio valve used in the sprayer of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention represents the discovery that multiple chemicals may be applied with a single sprayer supplied with a selector valve and ratio valve to control the application. A sprayer of the invention is particularly useful where multiple chemicals may be needed in varying amounts and ratios. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  in the drawings, a sprayer  11  is shown with a nozzle hose  13  extending from a tank  15 . A pressure source  17  is positioned at the top of tank  15 , and when pressure source  17  is removed, tank  15  is easily filled with fluid. Pressure source  17 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is a conventional hand pump of the type used on many other portable sprayers. Other pressure sources  17  may be used to provide a pressure in tank  15 ; such as compressed gas, electric pumps, or other mechanical pressure pumps. Containers  19  are positioned near tank  15 . As is discussed in more detail below, each container  19  contains chemicals to be mixed with the fluid in tank  15  and applied as a mixture by sprayer  11 . 
     Near the top of tank  15  a handle  21  is provided to increase the mobility of sprayer  11 . Additionally, wheels  23  are attached near the bottom of tank  15  to allow for increased mobility of the sprayer. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , a selector valve  25  is positioned above containers  19 . Selector valve  25  allows an operator to select the chemical carried in one of containers  19  to be mixed with the fluid in tank  15 . Above selector valve  25  is ratio valve  27 . Ratio valve  27  controls the amount of the chemical from selected container  19  that will be mixed with the fluid from tank  15 . Changing the setting of ratio valve  27  changes the ratio of chemical to fluid. The chemical exiting ratio valve  27  is fed through a feed line  29 , shown below nozzle hose  13 , to a mixing point  31 , shown along nozzle hose  13 . Nozzle hose  13  extends from tank outlet  33  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) beyond mixing point  31 . The fluid exits tank  15  through tank outlet  33  and enters nozzle hose  13 . The fluid then passes mixing point  31 , where a measured amount of the chemical from selected container  19  is mixed with the fluid. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a schematic of the flow paths of sprayer  11  allows for a more detailed discussion of the parts and operation of sprayer  11 . Tank  15  will contain fluid and air. The fluid will typically be water, but could be any fluid that needs to be mixed with a chemical in application. A fluid level  35  shows the maximum level of fluid that should be allowed in tank  15 . Pressure source  17  creates an increase in air pressure in the tank above the fluid. Tank pressure line  37  is in fluid communication with the air above the fluid line to communicate the pressure in the air to container pressure lines  39 . Container pressure lines  39  communicate the pressure from tank pressure line  37  into containers  19 . Containers  19  have chemical levels  41  and container pressure lines are preferably in communication with the air above chemical levels  41 . The communication provided by tank pressure line  37  and container pressure lines  39  allows for the use of a single pressure source  17  to pressurize tank  15  as well as containers  19 , and to ensure that the pressure in containers  19  is the same as the pressure in tank  15 . 
     Containers  19  have chemical lines  43  that communicate with selector valve  25 . Selector valve  25  selects one of chemical lines  43  to communicate with selector outlet  45 . Additionally, a purge line  47  may be connected to selector valve  25 . Purge line  47  runs from near the bottom of tank  15  to selector valve  25  to provide fluid to selector valve  25 . Supply line  49  connects selector outlet  45  to ratio inlet  51  of ratio valve  27 . Ratio valve  27  has a ratio outlet  53  connected to feed line  29 , discussed above. 
     In use a chemical is pushed out of container  19  by pressure provided by pressure source  17  and communicated to container  19  through tank pressure line  37  and container pressure line  39 . The chemical exits container  19  through chemical line  43 , leading to selector valve  25 . If selector valve  25  is positioned to select the chemical from this container, the chemical is passed through selector valve  25  and out selector outlet  45  to supply line  49 , leading to ratio inlet  51 . Upon entering ratio valve  27  through ratio inlet  51  a measured amount of the chemical is allowed to pass to feed line  29  and on to mixing point  31 , where the measured amount of chemical is mixed with fluid flowing through nozzle hose  13  to nozzle valve  55 . Nozzle valve  55  may be found in the handle of nozzle spray wand  57 . Nozzle valve controls the flow of fluid mixed with chemical nozzle stem  57  and out nozzle  59 . 
     After a first chemical has been applied, but prior to selecting a second chemical, it may be advantageous to clean residue of the first chemical from selector valve  25 , supply line  49 , ratio valve  27 , feed line  29 , mixing point  31 , nozzle hose  13 , nozzle valve  55 , nozzle wand  57 , and nozzle  59 . To do so selector valve  25  may be positioned to select purge line  47 . By selecting purge line  47  fluid will be fed into selector valve  25  and flow through supply line  49 , ratio valve  27 , feed line  29 , mixing point  31 , nozzle hose  13 , nozzle valve  55 , nozzle wand  57  and nozzle  59 . The effectiveness of using the purge line  47  will depend on the relationship between the first chemical and the fluid in tank  15 , but where the fluid is water and the chemical is water soluble a thorough cleaning may be achieved by selecting purge line  47  and allowing a few seconds of flow at this setting. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, a cross-section of the sprayer  11  of  FIG. 1  allows for a further discussion of this embodiment. The arrangement of tank  15 , pressure source  17  and containers  19  is shown. Tank outlet  33  is shown extending form near the bottom of tank  15  to the connection with nozzle hose  13 . Tank pressure line  37  is shown connected to container pressure line  39 . Chemical line  43  is shown leading to selector valve  25 . The connection between container  19  and sprayer  11  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 . Selector valve  25  is shown below ratio valve  27 . As is clear in  FIG. 3 , fluid, chemical and pressure lines may be constructed of suitable tubing materials, such as rubber, plastic, or polyvinylchloride tubing. Alternatively, the lines may be molded into the body of sprayer  11  or into the sidewalls of tank  15 . Such molding is somewhat expensive at this time but is expected to be more economical in the future. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, a cross section of the connection between container  19  and sprayer  11  is shown. In particular, container  19  requires a connection that allows pressure to enter and chemicals to exit container  19 . To achieve that goal a coaxial one-way valve  61  has been used in this embodiment. Containers  19  attach to fittings  63  on sprayer  11 . Containers  19  have female one-way valves  65  and fittings  63  have male one-way valves  67  that mate to form a coaxial one-way valve  61 . Coaxial one-way valve  61  allows the chemical to flow out of container  19  into chemical line  43  without allowing any chemical to flow from chemical line  43  into container  19 . At the same time, coaxial one-way valve  61  connects container pressure line  39  to a pressure tube  69  within container  19 , allowing free flow of pressure between container  19  and tank  15 , and vice versa. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, sprayer  11  of  FIG. 1  is shown with containers  19  removed, thereby exposing fittings  63 . Fittings  63  support male one-way valves  67  and keys  71 . Keys  71  secure containers  19  to fittings  63 . Also shown in this view are recesses  73  in tank  15  to allow sprayer  11  to be compact. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, an exploded view of container  19  allows for a more detailed look at the parts of one-way valve  61 . Container  19  is shown above pressure tube  69  extending through female one-way valve  65 , including valve sleeve  75 , O-ring  77 , valve core  79 , and flexible washer  81 , which seals container  19  to cap  83 . Cap  83  has key holes  85  which mate with keys  71  to secure containers  19  to fittings  63 . Male one-way valve  67  is shown with an additional O-ring  77 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , selector valve  25  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is shown in exploded view. Selector valve  25  has a valve body  87  and a selector knob  89  which rotates within valve body  87 . Valve body  87  has several inlets  91  spaced about a circumference for attachment to chemical lines  43 , and optional purge line  47 , and a selector outlet  45  positioned at the rear of valve body  87 . Selector knob  89  has a single passage  93  that extends from a circumference to the rear, thus allowing for communication between one inlet  91  and selector outlet  45  at a time as selector knob  89  is rotated. To reduce leakage out of the selector valve  25  a body O-ring  95  is about the circumference of knob  89 , between knob  89  and body  87 . To prevent leakage within the selector valve a passage O-ring  97  seals passage  93  to body  87  and allows flow from only one inlet  91  at a time. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, ratio valve  27  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is shown in exploded view. Ratio valve  27  is made up of an inlet fixture  99 , an outlet fixture  101 , and an orifice flange  103  between the fixtures  99 ,  101 . As chemical or fluid enters through ratio inlet  51  of inlet fixture  99  the chemical or fluid must pass through orifice flange  103 . Depending on the position of orifice flange  103  the chemical or fluid will pass through different size holes in orifice flange  103 , thereby determining a measured flow rate out of ratio outlet  53  in outlet fixture  101 . Fixtures  99 ,  101  are secured about orifice flange with a central retaining member  105 . O-rings  107 , compression member  109 , and spring  111  provide smooth and accurate operation of ratio valve  27 . 
     While shown as having three containers  19 , sprayer  11  may be configured to have only one container  19 , in which case the user will remove a first container  19  and install a second container  19  to change the chemical being used in sprayer  11 . In this configuration, selector valve  25  is not used to switch between multiple chemical lines  43 , but valve  25  will still be used to select between a single chemical line  43  and purge line  47 . 
     The present invention provides several significant advantages, including: (1) providing the selection of more than one chemical from a single sprayer; (2) providing varying application ratios for each chemical; (3) providing varying application ratios for a single chemical based on application; (4) reducing the waste of chemicals caused by preparing more than what is needed due to uncertainty; and (5) reducing the need for multiple sprayers and thereby reducing the work involved in spraying multiple chemicals. 
     It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.