Patent Publication Number: US-2022212325-A1

Title: Tool for powered sprayer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/134,386, filed Jan. 6, 2021, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to powered sprayers, and more particularly to tools for operating a nozzle of a powered sprayer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A powered sprayer can include a removable nozzle. A tool can facilitate removing or installing the nozzle in the powered sprayer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, a tool for operating a nozzle holder, the nozzle holder configured to selectively and removably couple a spray nozzle to a spray device. The nozzle holder includes an outer ring movable between a holding position and a release position. The nozzle holder is configured to securely hold the spray nozzle when the outer ring is in the holding position. The nozzle holder is configured to release the spray nozzle when the outer ring is in the release position. The tool includes an elongated body including a first end that defines an annular rim and a pocket that communicates with the annular rim, the annular rim being configured to selectively engage the outer ring to move the outer ring from the holding position to the release position. The elongated body also includes a second end opposite the first end, the second end defining a recess configured to selectively receive and hold a portion of the spray nozzle. 
     The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, a tool for operating a nozzle holder, the nozzle holder configured to selectively and removably couple a spray nozzle to a spray device. The tool includes an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end defines a recess configured to selectively receive and hold a portion of the spray nozzle. The tool also includes a nozzle storage receptacle formed in the body between the first end and the second end, the nozzle storage receptacle configured to selectively receive and hold the spray nozzle. The nozzle storage receptacle defines an aperture that extends through the body between a first lateral side of the body and a second lateral side of the body opposite the first lateral side. 
     The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, a method for operating a nozzle holder with a tool. The nozzle holder is configured to selectively couple a spray nozzle to a spray device. The nozzle holder includes an outer ring movable between a holding position and a release position. The nozzle holder is configured to securely hold the spray nozzle when the outer ring is in the holding position. The nozzle holder is configured to release the spray nozzle when the outer ring is in the release position. The spray device includes a tube that surrounds the nozzle holder, the tube defining an opening. The tool includes an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end defining a pocket. The method includes inserting the first end of a tool through the opening. The method also includes pressing the first end against the outer ring to retract the outer ring from the holding position to the release position, causing nozzle holder to release the spray nozzle. The method further includes receiving the spray nozzle into the pocket defined in the first end. The method also includes removing the first end of the tool from the opening to retrieve the spray nozzle. 
     Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fogger according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective cross-sectional view of a sprayer unit of the fogger of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective cross-sectional view of portions of the sprayer unit of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of portions of the sprayer unit of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5-7  are perspective views of a tool for operating a nozzle holder of the fogger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the tool of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are cross-sectional views of portions of the sprayer unit of  FIG. 2  and of the tool of  FIG. 5 , illustrating a process for removing a spray nozzle from the nozzle holder using the tool. 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  are cross-sectional views of portions of the sprayer unit of  FIG. 2  and of the tool of  FIG. 5 , illustrating a process for installing the spray nozzle into the nozzle holder using the tool. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a pair of backpack straps that can be attached to a backpack for carrying a remote reservoir of the fogger of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the application is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The application is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a spray device configured as an electrostatic powered sprayer or fogger  10  for spraying a fine mist of atomized liquid disinfecting solution to disinfect surfaces. The fogger  10  includes a handheld sprayer unit  12  fluidly coupled to a remote reservoir  14  via a hose  16 . The sprayer unit  12  includes a first motor  18  that drives a liquid pump  20  to draw the liquid solution from the reservoir  14  and direct the solution through an atomizing nozzle assembly  22 . The sprayer unit  12  also includes a second motor  24  that drives a blower  26  to direct an airflow past the nozzle assembly  22  to increase the throw of the atomized solution. 
     The sprayer unit  12  further includes a housing  28  that includes a main housing  30  in which the motor  18  and pump  20  are supported, and a tube  32  that defines an airflow channel  34 . The main housing  30  defines a handle portion  35  that may be grasped by the user during use to manipulate the orientation and position of the sprayer unit  12 . The main housing  30  also defines a battery receptacle  37  that selectively couples to a removable and rechargeable battery pack (not shown) to provide DC electrical power to the sprayer  10 . In alternative embodiments, the sprayer  10  may be AC powered (e.g., plugged into a standard home electrical socket). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sprayer  10  also includes an electrostatic charging circuit  39  operable to impart an electrostatic charge in the atomized liquid droplets exiting the nozzle assembly  22  during operation of the sprayer  10 . The electrostatic charging circuit  39  includes a high voltage supply module  41  supported within the main housing  30 , a first or high voltage electrode assembly  43  positioned in-line between the pump  20  and the nozzle assembly  22 , and a second electrode assembly or grounding ring assembly  45  suspended in front of the nozzle assembly  22 . The high voltage supply module  41  receives power from the battery pack and supplies power to the high voltage electrode assembly  43 . The grounding ring assembly  45  is electrically coupled to the high voltage supply module  41  to complete the charging circuit  39 . During operation of the sprayer  10 , the liquid solution passes through the high voltage electrode assembly  43  and is directly charged by direct contact therewith. An electric field develops between the grounding ring assembly  45  and any conductive material (such as, e.g., the liquid solution) in electrical contact with the high voltage electrode assembly  43 . As the atomized spray droplets of the liquid solution exit the nozzle assembly  22 , the droplets pass through the interior of the grounding ring assembly  45  and through the electric field, thereby acquiring an electrostatic charge. The acquired charge enables the spray droplets to better adhere or “stick” to targeted surfaces. 
     The nozzle assembly  22  is suspended within the tube  32  proximate a forward end  36  that defines an outlet opening  38 . The nozzle assembly  22  includes a quick-connect nozzle holder  40  and a removable, replaceable nozzle  42 . The nozzle  42  can be removed from the nozzle holder  40  (e.g., for cleaning) and can also be replaced with a different nozzle (e.g., having different spray characteristics). Specifically, the nozzle holder  40  includes a retractable outer ring  44  that is movable between a holding position ( FIG. 4 ), in which the nozzle  42  is securely held within the nozzle holder  40 , and a release position ( FIGS. 10B and 10C ), in which the nozzle  42  is released and ejected from the nozzle holder  40 . In other embodiments (not shown), the nozzle holder  40  can receive and hold the nozzle by other means. For example, the nozzle holder  40  can include internal threads for threadably receiving an externally threaded nozzle. In In another example, the nozzle holder  40  can receive the nozzle in a bayonet lock arrangement. 
     Since the nozzle assembly  22  resides within the tube  32 , it must be accessed through the outlet opening  38  to remove or replace the nozzle  42 . Accordingly,  FIGS. 5-9  illustrate a tool  46  for removing or installing the nozzle  42  at the nozzle holder  40 . The tool  46  has a generally elongated rod-like body  47  that includes a first end or removal end  48 , and an opposite second end or installation end  50 . The removal end  48  defines a pocket  52  ( FIG. 9 ) and includes an annular rim  54  communicating with the pocket  52  and having a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the retractable outer ring  44  of the nozzle holder  40 . The installation end  50  defines a recess  56  having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of a front portion of the nozzle  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the recess  56  has a hexagonal shape corresponding to the hexagonal shape of the front portion of the nozzle  42 . The recess  56  receives the front portion of the nozzle  42  (e.g., by nominal slip fit) to temporarily hold the nozzle  42  so that it may be subsequently installed into the nozzle holder  40  using the tool  46 . 
     The tool  46  also includes nozzle storage receptacles  58  formed in a central region of the body  47  between the removal and installation ends  48 ,  50 . The storage receptacles  58  receive additional nozzles  42  for storage and safekeeping. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage receptacles  58  define respective apertures that extend all the way through the body  47  between opposite first and second lateral sides  57 ,  59  of the body  47 . As such, nozzle  42  may be inserted into each storage receptacle  58  from the first lateral side  57  or from the second lateral side  59 . In other embodiments (not shown), the storage receptacles may instead define recesses that are open to only one of the lateral sides  57 ,  59  and are closed to the other lateral side  57 ,  59 . 
     The tool  46  further includes a flexible arm or clip  60  extending from the body  47  that allows the tool  46  to be secured to an article such as a belt, a strap, a pocket, or the like. For example,  FIG. 12  illustrates a pair of backpack straps  62  that can be attached to a backpack for carrying the remote reservoir  14  ( FIG. 1 ). The backpack straps  62  include a pocket  64 , and the tool  46  is shown secured to the rim of the pocket  64  via the clip  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the clip  60  is integrally formed with the body  47 . In other embodiments (not shown), the clip  60  can be a separate component affixed to the body  47 . 
     The tool  46  further includes first and second planer grip surfaces  66 ,  68  formed at opposite top and bottom sides  70 ,  72  of the body  47 . The grip surfaces  66 ,  68  are also formed in the central region of the body  47  and located adjacent the storage receptacles  58 . The grip surfaces  66 ,  68  can be grasped by the user to hold and manipulate the tool  46 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate a process for removing the nozzle  42  from the nozzle holder  40  using the tool  46 . With reference to  FIG. 10A , the removal end  48  of the tool  46  is first inserted into the tube  32  through the outlet opening  38 . With reference to  FIG. 10B , the annular rim  54  is moved over the nozzle  42  and pressed against the outer ring  44 , causing the outer ring  44  to retract from the holding position ( FIG. 10A ) to the release position ( FIG. 10B ). With the outer ring  44  retracted, the nozzle  42  is released and ejected from the nozzle holder  40  ( FIG. 10C ). The ejected nozzle  42  lands within the pocket  52 . The tool  46  can then be removed from the tube  32  and the nozzle  42  retrieved from within the pocket  52 . 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate a process for installing the nozzle  42  into the nozzle holder  40  using the tool  46 . With reference to  FIG. 11A , the front portion of the nozzle  42  is inserted into the recess  56  of the installation end  50  of the tool  46 , and the installation end  50  is inserted into the tube  32  through the outlet opening  38 . With reference to  FIG. 11B , the opposite end of the nozzle  42  is then pressed into the nozzle holder  40  until it reaches a secured position at which the outer ring  44  moves to the holding position ( FIG. 11B ). With the nozzle  42  secured within the nozzle holder  40 , the tool  46  can then be removed from the tube  32  ( FIG. 11C ). 
     Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.