Patent Publication Number: US-9889457-B1

Title: Applicator for dispensing gardening liquids

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to applicators for liquids and particularly to applicators for gardening liquids. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Gardens have been around for a long time. One of the persistent problems in them is disposing of weeds and for the fertilization of the various garden plants. One method of weed removal is by hand. This is a difficult and tedious process. More modern techniques involve the use of herbicides. Today, herbicides are designed to target specific types of plants. For example, there are herbicides that attach broad leaf plants, such as clover and dandelions, but do nothing to narrow leaf plants such as lawns. Although these herbicides are effective, there remains the problem of their delivery. Some are packaged along with a lawn fertilizer, which can be applied in a pellet form over an entire lawn, or can be sprayed on using a hose. The water stream from the hose pulls the fertilizer/herbicide from the container, where it is dispensed through a nozzle. Again, this system is designed to be applied to an entire lawn. 
     For individual weed, there are herbicides that are sold in spray bottles that can target a single weed or a small patch of weeds. The problem with these is that the user holds the container in the user&#39;s hand, which, when the user is standing, is several feet above the level of the ground. This is no problem for one or two weeds, but if the user applies the product to several weeds, over a large area, fatigue will set in, often causing the user to quit the job before it is finished. Another problem with these applicators is that the quantity of herbicide tends to be small and the price tends to be high. Although a user can buy herbicide in larger bottles, it has to be transferred into the small bottle, which can be difficult. 
     Moreover, there is no product available that allows a user to apply liquid fertilizer to a single plant, if desired. 
     What is needed is a device that allows a user to easily target plants for disposal or feeding and has options for spraying an larger area or for other dispersal and is large enough to hold a reasonable amount of herbicide/fertilizer and which can be easily refilled from a large volume container. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention overcomes these difficulties. It is a dispenser or applicator of garden liquids such as herbicides and pesticides. It is a long tube, preferably translucent, that holds a sizable volume of liquid. It has a needle valve dispenser at the base that allows a user to dispense a quantity of the liquid to one plant at a time in an exact spot while the user remains standing comfortably (without having to bend or stoop over). Because of the needle action, the device can be used on a windy day, as the liquid is not sprayed into the air. The device also has a spray nozzle so that a larger area can be sprayed, if desired. Finally, it has a top cap that has a small opening in it that allows a user to invert the device and apply the liquid to a larger area by simply moving the device around and sprinkling the liquid where desired. Again, because the tube is long, the user can remain standing comfortable and the liquid is dispensed at ground level. 
     The device has a small mounting bracket for securing it vertically on a wall. This not only stores the device in a convenient location, it also allows a user to fill the device by simply opening the top, placing a funnel in the open top and pouring the desired liquid into the container. With the translucent tube, the user can easily tell when the device is full, thus avoiding overfilling and possible spills. The user then simply replaces the cap and the device is ready for the next use. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a device that allows a user to easily target plants for disposal or feeding. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a device that has options for spraying a larger area if desired. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device that holds a reasonable amount of herbicide/fertilizer for repeated applications. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device that can be easily refilled from a large volume container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail view of the top cap of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of the snap that secures the spray nozzle to the tube. 
         FIG. 4  is a detail view of the lower portion of the device showing the applicator tip assembly of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail view of the brass elbow that secures the hose for the sprayer to the tube. 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of the components of the applicator tip assembly of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side detail view of the actuator tip and the valve. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of the optional o-ring installed in the dispensing chamber. 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of the actuator and valve being inserted into the dispensing chamber. 
         FIG. 10  is a detail view of the valve after insertion into the dispensing chamber. 
         FIG. 11  is a detail view of the valve with the spring in position. 
         FIG. 12  is a detail view of the valve and spring being inserted into the valve retainer piece. 
         FIG. 13  is a detail view of the inlet port being inserted into the valve retainer piece. 
         FIG. 14  is a detail view of the inlet port and valve retainer piece fully assembled. 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of the fully assembled applicator tip assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is a detail view showing the fully assembled applicator tip assembly with the actuator out and the valve closed. 
         FIG. 17  is a detail view showing the fully assembled applicator tip assembly with the actuator depressed and the valve open. 
         FIG. 18  is a detail view of the support bracket as mounted on a wall surface. 
         FIG. 19  is a detail view of the device installed in the support bracket showing the cap removed and the device being filled. 
         FIG. 20  is a diagrammatic view of a powered spray nozzle. 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded view of an alternative actuator valve assembly. 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of the assembled alternative actuator valve assembly installed on the tube. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side view of the invention  1  is shown. The invention has a long tube  2  that holds the liquid to be dispensed. This liquid can be a weed killer, for example or a fertilizer product, or any other garden related liquid that can be dispensed using this tool. In the preferred embodiment, the tube  2  is made of translucent material; however, it can be made of any lightweight material that is impervious to the liquids being dispensed. The translucent material is preferred because it allows a user to see the level of liquid in the tube, which aids in filling the tube as this reduces or eliminated overfilling and spilling of the liquid. 
     At the bottom of the tube  2  is an applicator tip assembly  3 . This assembly is used to dispense liquid by tapping the device on the ground, which opens the valve (as discussed below) to allow the liquid to flow from the tip. 
     At the top of the tube  2  is a reservoir fitting  4  that is glued to the tube. This fitting is threaded to accept a cap  5 . As discussed below, the cap  5  has an opening in it that has a dual function: first, to allow a user to sprinkle the liquid over a larger area and second to act as a reservoir air inlet. 
     A third dispensing option is a sprayer  6 . This nozzle is held on the side of the tube  2  with a snap (see  FIG. 3 ). The sprayer  6  has a nozzle  7  that allows a user to spray a larger area, if desired. The nozzle  7  can be turned to an “off” position, when the sprayer is not needed, or an “on position” for use. The sprayer  6  obtains liquid through a small hose  8  that is secured to the tube by a connector. In the preferred embodiment, the connector is a brass elbow  9 , as discussed below. 
       FIG. 2  is a detail view of the top cap  5  of the invention. As noted above, the top cap  5  has a small hole  5   a  in it that allows the user to invert the tube  2  and move the device about to shake the liquid from the tube out of the hole  5   a . Note the spray nozzle  7  has to be in the “off” position during this operation. 
       FIG. 3  is a detail view of the snap that secures the sprayer  6  to the tube  2 . In this figure sprayer  6  has a snap portion  7   a  and the tube  2  has a snap portion  7   b . When the sprayer  6  is not needed it is secured to the tube  2  by the snaps  7   a  and  7   b . Note this figure shows a portion of the hose  8  too. Note that the snap portions  7   a  and  7   b  are considered to be a means for securing the sprayer to the tube. Of course, other equivalent fasteners may also be used, such as hook and loop type fasteners, and a stud and bracket to name two. 
       FIG. 4  is a detail view of the lower portion of the device showing the applicator tip assembly of the invention. Here, the applicator tip assembly  3  is shown in place in the tube  2 . Note too, the bottom of the tube  8 , which feeds the sprayer  6 . The hose  8  attached to a brass elbow  9 , which connects it to the tube  2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a detail view of the brass elbow  9  that secures the hose  8  for the sprayer  6 , to the tube  2 . The brass elbow has hose connection portion  9   a  and a threaded mounting portion  9   b , which threads into the side of the tube  2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a detail view of the components of the applicator tip assembly  3  of the invention. This assembly is made up of 5 or 6 parts, depending on whether the optional o-ring  3   c  is used. The components are: an actuator tip  3   a , a valve  3   b  an o-ring  3   c , which is optional, a dispensing chamber  3   d , a spring  3   e , and an adapter  3   f.    
       FIG. 7  is a side detail view of the actuator tip  3   a  and the valve  3   b . Note that the actuator tip  3   a  screws onto the valve  3   b  as shown. 
       FIG. 8  is a detail view of the optional o-ring installed in the dispensing chamber  3   d . At the bottom of the dispensing chamber is a threaded portion  3   g , which is shown in the figure. The optional o-ring  3   c  is inserted in this portion of the dispensing chamber. 
       FIG. 9  is a detail view of the actuator  3   a  and valve  3   b  being inserted into the dispensing chamber&#39;s threaded portion  3   g . In this view, the actuator is slid through the dispensing chamber and exits the hole  3   h  of the dispensing chamber (see  FIG. 6 ). The valve  3   b  is pushed down until it presses the o-ring  3   c  into the bottom of the threaded portion  3   g  of the dispensing chamber. Note that the actuator, valve and spring are part of a means for dispensing a quantity of a liquid from said hollow tube. 
       FIG. 10  is a detail view of the valve  3   b  after insertion into the dispensing chamber  3   d . As noted above, the valve is seated into the dispensing chamber as shown. Note that the end of the valve  3   i  remains protruding from the dispensing chamber. 
       FIG. 11  is a detail view of the valve  3   i  with the spring  3   e  in position. The spring  3   e  is fitted over the end  3   i  of the valve as shown. 
       FIG. 12  is a detail view of the valve and spring being inserted into the valve retainer piece. Once the spring  3   e  is placed on the valve  3   b , the sub assembly is placed into the adapter  3   f , which has internal threads  3   j  formed in it. This allows the adapter to be screwed onto the threaded portion  3   g  of the dispensing chamber  3   d.    
       FIG. 13  is a detail view of the inlet port being inserted into the valve retainer piece. Here, the adapter  3   f  is fully screwed onto the threaded portion  3   g  of the dispensing chamber  3   d . The assembly  3  is capped with an inlet port  3   k  that has a hole to accept the spring  3   e  as shown and a hole  3   l  on top to permit the liquid in the tube to flow through the assembly  3 . The inlet port  3   k  is placed over the spring and is pressed into the adapter until it is fully seated, as shown in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of the fully assembled applicator tip assembly. Here, the inlet port  3   k  is shown and the hole  3   l  clearly shown. 
       FIG. 16  is a detail view showing the fully assembled applicator tip assembly with the actuator out and the valve closed. In this position, no liquid escapes the applicator tip assembly  3 . 
       FIG. 17  is a detail view showing the fully assembled applicator tip assembly  3  with the actuator  3   a  depressed and the valve open. To use the device using the applicator tip assembly, the user presses the device to the ground, which causes the actuator to be pushed up into the applicator tip assembly. This action opens the valve  3   b , which then permits liquid to flow from the tube  2 . This action can be a simple tap, which releases a small measured quantity of the liquid. Or, the user can hold the device down, allowing more liquid to flow. In the preferred embodiment, the applicator tip assembly is intended to be used for quick spot applications of liquid. For example a single weed in a yard might get one or two taps of the tool to dispense weed killer for that particular weed. In this way, a user can quickly and easily move across a property treating individual weeds. Similarly, the device can be used with liquid fertilizer to feed specific plants in the same way. 
     As noted above, the sprayer  6  can be used for larger areas as well as the sprinkler cap. Both of these options are always available as part of the device. 
       FIG. 18  is a detail view of the support bracket  10  as mounted on a wall surface  100 . One of the unique features of the device is the mounting bracket  10  that is used to hold the device when not being used. This bracket is simply screwed to a wall  100  as shown. 
       FIG. 19  is a detail view of the device  1  placed in the support bracket  10  showing the cap removed and the device being filled. Another feature of the bracket  10  is that the device can be supported while it is being filled. This makes filling the tube  2  easy and convenient. To fill the device, the cap is removed. Note the reservoir fitting  4  is shown. A funnel  101  is placed in the opening and a container of fluid  102  is shown ready to pour the contents into the tube  2 . Once filled, the cap  5  can be replaced and the device is ready for the next use. 
       FIG. 20  is a diagrammatic view of a powered spray nozzle  15 . This is an option that allows spraying over larger areas without having to constantly pump the sprayer. This sprayer has an adjustable nozzle  16  that attaches to a pump outlet tube  17 , which connects to a pump  18 . The pump is driven by a motor  19  that connects to a power supply  21  through a switch  22 . The power supply in the preferred embodiment comprises two batteries  21   a . Of course, the size of the batteries can vary, but the intent is to keep the sprayer as light as possible. The liquid to be dispensed comes from the hose  8  as before. The hose  8  connect to the inlet of the pump  18  as shown. 
       FIG. 21  is an exploded view of an alternative actuator valve assembly. Here, the alternative actuator valve assembly  25  is shown. The alternative actuator valve assembly consists of an actuator  26 , which screws into a valve  27 . The valve  27  has a spring seat  27   a . A spring  28  is placed over the spring seat  27   a . A spring retainer  29  is placed on the other end of the spring to hold it in place. Once assembled, this sub assembly is placed into a dispensing chamber  30 . The dispensing chamber has a liquid inlet  32  and a pressure escape outlet  33 . This escape outlet is used to release the pressure when the actuator needle is retracted into the cap. The dispensing chamber  30  has an o-ring  31  attached, which seals the end. The dispensing chamber  30  is placed in a cap  34 . The cap  34  has an opening that allows the actuator to extend outwardly from the cap (see  FIG. 22 ). 
       FIG. 22  is a side view of the assembled alternative actuator valve assembly installed on the tube. In this view, the dispensing chamber  30  with the subassembly of the valve and actuator is shown installed in the cap  34 . Note that the actuator  26  is shown extending out from the cap. Once assembled, the assembly is placed over the lower end of the tube  2 . In this way, the device is then ready for use. 
     The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.