Patent Publication Number: US-10773359-B2

Title: Venturi action media blaster

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/961,721, filed on Dec. 7, 2015 and granted on Aug. 28, 2018 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,058,977, which claims priority from the United States provisional application with Ser. No. 62/088,612 filed Dec. 7, 2014. The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein as if set out in full. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Field of the Disclosure 
     The present embodiment relates in general to abrasive blasting equipment for preparing metal surfaces for painting; and more particularly to a dustless blaster that eliminates the need for a pressurized tank and is adaptable for installation in any location with a compressed air supply. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Abrasive blasting is the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material against a rough surface under high pressure to smooth the rough surface and to remove surface contaminants. In conventional abrasive blasting methods, the abrasive material used is dry and finely-divided. In these methods, large amounts of dust containing silica are emitted into the atmosphere. If inhaled, this dust can stick to the lung tissue potentially causing severe health problems. 
     For example, one of the existing conventional blasting methods provides a light weight mechanism that can be conveniently carried in the hand of the user with a pneumatic air gun through which a high velocity air stream can flow, thereby delivering a stream of dry granular abrasive material. In this apparatus, the abrasive material moves at a low velocity when compared with the intended high velocity of an air stream, to prevent undue wear upon the metallic surfaces of the conduit through which the material passes when discharged. In this method, as stated above, a large amount of dust is emitted into the atmosphere. 
     In order to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned method, dustless abrasive blasting methods have been developed. In the dustless abrasive blasting method, an abrasive element is entrained in a pressurized liquid flow and then directed through a nozzle. Current dustless blasters must have a pressurized system that requires EPA/OSHA standard pressurized tanks, thereby requiring more time and energy to set up and operate. Dustless methods are traditionally very expensive and difficult to set up. 
     Another existing blasting apparatus includes a pressure vessel adapted to contain a particulate blasting medium and a liquid. The vessel includes an inlet and a bottom outlet. The interior of the vessel communicates via its bottom outlet with an opening in a conduit through which an entraining pressurized mixture of media and fluid can be fed from a pressurized gas source. A pressurizing device is provided to pump liquid into the vessel and through the bottom outlet. Immediately upstream of the opening in the conduit is located a venturi so that the velocity of the pressurized gas is increased as it passes over the opening thereby increasing the quantity of particulate blasting medium entrained by the gas. However, the pressure vessel of the apparatus is traditionally very expensive and difficult to set up. 
     Yet another method describes a fluid-jet-abrasive device having a fluid-jet gun with a trigger adapted to operate a pressure-control valve, to allow fluid to flow through and pass out of the spray-nozzle of the gun under extremely high pressure and velocity. The fluid is under pressure supplied through an interconnected flow system with a water-tank reservoir, a pumping unit coupled at one end to the water tank and at the opposite end to the pressure inlet of the gun through a recirculating conduit system. The gun includes a separate inlet port through which various types of abrasive materials are passed and mixed with the fluid to be sprayed under high pressure. The abrasive material is stored in a tank with a material-flow regulator attached to automatically control the amount of the abrasive material delivered to the gun. In addition to sharing drawbacks with some other conventional systems is the lack of any feature that provides for rust inhibition. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a dustless blaster that would provide paint stripping, rust removal, and metal preparation for paint with minimal effort. Such a dustless blaster would eliminate the need for a pressurized tank. It would be cost effective and adaptable to being setup in any location with an air supply. Further, such a needed dustless blaster would use silica free media and would function with air and water supply. In addition, this blaster would utilize a venturi to siphon water and media which would automatically mix within an exterior nozzle to provide a rust inhibiting coating. The present embodiment overcomes existing shortcomings of dustless blasters by accomplishing all of these objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of this specification and review of the attendant drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a venturi media blaster assembly for preparing a metal surface for painting. 
     The venturi media blaster assembly comprises a container, an external air source, a reservoir and a venturi blaster gun. The container is adapted to contain at least one abrasive media. The container comprises an outlet and is connected to a first valve member, a first tube member having a first end and a second end and a second tube member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first tube member is connected to the first valve member and the second end of the first tube member is adapted to allow ambient air to pass therethrough from the atmosphere. The ambient air passed through the first tube member pushes the at least one abrasive media released from the container at the first valve member. The first end of the second tube member is connected to the first valve member and the second end is connected to the venturi blaster gun. The reservoir is adapted to hold water and rust inhibitor solution. The reservoir having a reservoir tube includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the reservoir tube is connected to the reservoir. The venturi blaster gun comprises an exterior nozzle, a media blaster block and a trigger with a handle. The external air source is connected to the venturi blaster gun using an air supply tube that includes an air outlet and an air inlet. 
     The exterior nozzle has a proximal end and a distal end. The media blaster block is attached to the proximal end of the exterior nozzle. The media blaster block has a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of left and right side walls, a left end wall, an interior wall and a right end wall. The bottom wall of the media blaster block has a first inlet connected to the air inlet of the air supply tube to receive air from the external air source, a second inlet connected to the second end of the second tube member to receive the at least one abrasive media from the container via a second valve member and a third inlet is connected to the second end of the reservoir tube to receive water and rust inhibitor solution from the reservoir via a third valve member. The left sidewall of the media blaster block includes an aperture to receive a left pinch knob and the right side wall comprises an aperture to receive the right pinch knob. The left end wall of the media blaster block includes a left aperture to receive the exterior nozzle. The right end wall receives a fourth valve member that engaged to a spring plunger. The interior wall has a first orifice, a second orifice and a third orifice. The first orifice is connected to an interior nozzle extended through the left aperture of the left end wall and the proximal end of the exterior nozzle to allow the flow of air from the first inlet of the bottom wall to the exterior nozzle. The second orifice is adapted to allow the flow of media from the second inlet of the bottom wall to the exterior nozzle and the third orifice is adapted to allow the flow of water and rust inhibitor solution from the third inlet of the bottom wall to the exterior nozzle and the third orifice is adapted to allow the flow of water and rust inhibitor solution from the third inlet of the bottom wall to the exterior nozzle. The right and left pinch knobs allow the regulation of the flow of media and water received from the second inlet and third inlet of the bottom wall utilizing the second valve member and the third valve member respectively. The special design of the interior nozzle creating the venturi effect and helps to prevent the premixing of air with water and rust inhibitor solution and the abrasive media. When the media blaster block is assembled to the exterior nozzle, the fitting is appropriately placed within exterior nozzle to create the siphon effect. The venturi media blaster assembly uses venturi to siphon water and media and mix them automatically within media blaster block and provides a dustless blast. When the trigger is pulled, the spring plunger is actuated, the fourth valve member opens and the pressurized air enters from the first inlet of the bottom wall through the interior nozzle creating the venturi effect for propelling the media and the water and the rust inhibitor solution discharged from the second orifice and the third orifice to the exterior nozzle thereby mixing the media and water and the rust inhibitor solution to provide a dustless blast which is expelled out through the exterior nozzle. In this way, the plunger/deadman valve will regulate the air flow. The venturi blaster gun is designed to utilize the venturi effect to bring the water and rust inhibitor solution and mix with the abrasive media to provide the dustless blaster the capability to spray preferably metal and remove all surface finishes and oxidation. 
     It is a first objective of the present invention to provide a dustless blaster that would provide paint stripping, rust removal, and metal preparation for paint with minimal effort. 
     A second objective of the present invention is to provide a unique design for eliminating the need for a pressurized tank. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive system that can be set up in any location with an air supply. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a venturi media blaster that utilizes the venturi effect to bring the water solution and mix with the media to provide the dustless blaster the capability to spray preferably metal and remove all surface finishes and oxidation. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide air supply to the venturi blaster gun, water and rust inhibitor solution and media are siphoned and mix them automatically within the exterior nozzle to create a dustless blast. 
     These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention, elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary view of various elements of a venturi media blaster assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of a media blaster block connected to an exterior nozzle of the venturi media blaster assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an interior view of the media blaster block in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the media blaster block connected to the exterior nozzle of the venturi media blaster assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a venturi blaster gun of the venturi media blaster assembly; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of venturi blaster gun shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of venturi blaster gun of the venturi media blaster assembly in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the venturi blaster gun of the venturi media blaster assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. Finally, many of the steps are presented below an order intended only as an exemplary embodiment. Unless logically required, no step should be assumed to be required earlier in the process than a later step simply because it is written first in this document. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary view of various elements of a venturi media blaster assembly  100  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The venturi media blaster assembly  100  comprises a container  102 , an external air source  120 , a reservoir  128  and a venturi blaster gun  136 . The container  102  is adapted to hold at least one abrasive media. The container  102  includes an outlet  104  connected to a first valve member  106  and a first tube member  108 . The first tube member  108  comprises a first end  110  and a second end  112 . The first end  110  of the first tube member  108  is connected to the first valve member  106  and the second end  112  of the first tube member  108  is adapted to allow ambient air to pass therethrough from the atmosphere. In this way, it acts as a carburetor. Then, the ambient air passed through the first tube member  108  pushes the at least one abrasive media released from the container  102  at the valve member  106 . The container  102  comprises a second tube member  114  having a first end  116  and a second end  118 . The first end  116  of the second tube member  114  is attached to the first valve member  106 . 
     The reservoir  128  is adapted to hold water and rust inhibitor solution. The reservoir  128  comprises a reservoir tube  130  including a first end  132  and a second end  134 . The first end  132  of the reservoir tube  130  is connected to the reservoir  128 . The venturi blaster gun  136  has an exterior nozzle  138 , a media blaster block  144  and a trigger  188  with a handle  194 . The external air source  120  connected to the venturi blaster gun  136  uses an air supply tube  122 . The air supply tube  122  comprises an air outlet  124  and an air inlet  126 . The air outlet  124  is connected to the external air source  120 . The venturi blaster gun  136  is designed to utilize the venturi effect to bring the water and rust inhibitor solution and to mix with the abrasive media to provide the dustless blaster the capability to spray preferably metal so as to remove all surface finishes and oxidation therefrom. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the media blaster block  144  connected to the exterior nozzle  138  used in the venturi media blaster assembly  100  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The exterior nozzle  138  has a proximal end  140  and a distal end  142 . The media blaster block  144  is attached to the proximal end  140  of the exterior nozzle  138 . The media blaster block  144  has a top wall  146 , a bottom wall  148  (See  FIG. 3 ), a pair of left and right side walls ( 160 ,  164 ), a left end wall  168 , an interior wall  172  (See  FIG. 3 ) and a right end wall  182 . The bottom wall  148  (See  FIG. 3 ) of the media blaster block  144  comprises a first inlet  150  connected to the air inlet  126  of the air supply tube  122  to receive air from the external air source  120 , a second inlet  152  connected to the second end  118  of the second tube member  114  to receive the at least one abrasive media from the container  104  via a second valve member  154  (See  FIG. 4 ), and a third inlet  156  is connected to the second end  134  of the reservoir tube  130  to receive water and rust inhibitor solution from the reservoir  128  via a third valve member  158  (See  FIG. 4 ). The left sidewall  160  of the media blaster block  144  comprises an aperture  190  to receive a left pinch knob  162  and the right side wall  164  comprises an aperture  192  (not shown) to receive the right pinch knob  166 . The left end wall  168  of the media blaster block  144  includes a left aperture  170  to receive the exterior nozzle  138 . The right end wall  182  receives a fourth valve member  184  (See  FIG. 4 ) that is engaged to a spring plunger  186 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an interior view of the media blaster block  144  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The interior wall  172  comprises a first orifice  174 , a second orifice  178  and a third orifice  180 . The first orifice  174  is connected to an interior nozzle  176  that extends through the left aperture  170  of the left end wall  168  and the proximal end  140  of the exterior nozzle  138  to allow the flow of air from the first inlet  150  of the bottom wall  148  to the exterior nozzle  138 . The special ornamental design of the interior nozzle  176  creates the venturi effect and helps to prevent the premixing of air with water and rust inhibitor solution and the abrasive media. When the media blaster block  144  is assembled to the exterior nozzle  138 , the fitting is appropriately placed within exterior nozzle to create the siphon effect. The venturi media blaster assembly  100  uses venturi effect to siphon water and media and mix them automatically within media blaster block  144  thereby providing a dustless blast. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the media blaster block  144  connected to the exterior nozzle  138  of the venturi media blaster assembly  100  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The first orifice  174  is connected to the interior nozzle  176  extended through the left aperture  170  of the left end wall  168  and the proximal end  140  of the exterior nozzle  138  to allow the flow of air from the first inlet  150  of the bottom wall  148  to the exterior nozzle  138 . The second orifice  178  is adapted to allow the flow of media from the second inlet  152  of the bottom wall to the exterior nozzle  138  and the third orifice  180  is adapted to allow the flow of water and rust inhibitor solution from the third inlet of the bottom wall  148  to the exterior nozzle  138 . The third orifice is adapted to allow the flow of water and rust inhibitor solution from the third inlet  156  of the bottom wall  148  to the exterior nozzle  138 . The right and left pinch knobs ( 166 ,  162 ) allow the regulation of the flow of the media and water received from the second inlet  152  and third inlet  156  of the bottom wall  148  utilizing the second valve member  154  and the third valve member  158 , respectively. When the trigger  188  is pulled, the spring plunger  186  is actuated, the fourth valve member  184  opens and the pressurized air enters from the first inlet  150  of the bottom wall  148  through the interior nozzle  176 , thereby creating the venturi effect for propelling the media and the water and the rust inhibitor solution discharged from the second orifice  178  and the third orifice  180  to the exterior nozzle  138  which is turn causes the mixing of the media and water and the rust inhibitor solution to provide a dustless blast. The venturi blaster gun  136  is designed to utilize the venturi effect to bring the water and rust inhibitor solution and mix with the abrasive media to provide the dustless blaster to spray metal and remove all surface finishes and oxidation. The unique design of the venturi media blaster gun  136  eliminates the need of any pressurized tanks and can be set up in any location with the air supply. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate different views of an alternative embodiment of a venturi blaster gun  196  of the venturi media blaster assembly. In this embodiment, a venturi blaster gun  196  includes an exterior nozzle  198 , a diffuser  200 , a line to media  202 , a line to water and rust inhibitor solution  204 , and a pipeline  206  attached to a trigger  208 . The exterior nozzle  198  comprises a proximal end  210  and a distal end  212 . The proximal end  210  of the exterior nozzle  198  is connected to a first end  214  of the diffuser of the venturi blaster gun  196 . A second end  216  of the diffuser is connected to a convergent area  218  of the line to media  202 , the line to water and the pipeline  206  respectively. The line to media  202  is connected to the container  102  having the abrasive media. The line to water and rust inhibitor solution  204  is connected to a reservoir  128  having the water and rust inhibitor solution. The pipeline  206  is attached to the air supply tube  122  which is connected to an external air source  120 . The air passes through the pipeline  206  to the diffuser  200  from the external air source  120 . A venturi effect created by the air causes the media to be pulled into the venturi blaster gun  196  and mix with the water and rust inhibitor solution to provide a dustless blast. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a venturi blaster gun  220  of the venturi media blaster assembly in accordance with the present invention. The venturi blaster gun  220  includes an exterior nozzle  222 , a media blaster block  224 , and a pipeline  226  that is attached to a trigger  228 . The exterior nozzle  222  has a proximal end  230  and a distal end  232 . The media blaster block  224  includes a first end  234  and a second end  236 . The first end  234  of the media blaster block  224  is connected to the proximal end  230  of the exterior nozzle  222 . The pipeline  226  is attached to the air supply tube  122  which is connected to an external air source  120 . The air is passed through the pipeline  226  to the media blaster block  224  from the external air source  120 . A venturi effect created by the air causes the media to be pulled into the venturi blaster gun  220  and mix with the water and rust inhibitor solution to provide a dustless blast. The media blaster block  224  eliminates the need for external fittings and plumbs with a water and rust inhibitor solution and a media. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a venturi blaster gun  238  of the venturi media blaster assembly in accordance with the present invention. The venturi blaster gun  238  includes an exterior nozzle  240 , a chamber  242  and a handle  244 . The exterior nozzle  240  has a proximal end  248  and a distal end  250 . The chamber  242  includes a first end  252 , a second end  254 , a media inlet  256  and a water inlet  266  (not shown). The media inlet  256  is connected to a container  102  and a water inlet  266  is connected to a reservoir  128 . The flow of media and water is regulated by utilizing a left pinch knob  258  and a right pinch knob  268  (not shown) respectively. The first end  252  of the chamber  242  is connected to the proximal end  248  of the exterior nozzle  240  and the second end  254  is connected to the handle  244 . The handle  244  includes an air inlet  264 , a fourth valve member  262  and a trigger  246 . The air is passed through the air inlet  264  to the chamber  242  from the external air source  120 . A venturi effect created by the air causes the media to be pulled into the chamber  242  where it is mixed with a water and rust inhibitor solution to provide a dustless blast. Prior to that point, the water and media are kept separated until their arrival, at which time they are immediately mixed to create the dustless slurry. If it critical for the mixing to occur only in this area and not elsewhere in the system. The chamber  242  is also optimized to allow better mixture of the water and media to create the slurry. The handle  244  eliminates the need for a complex manifold block. 
     It is noted that the invention described herein is capable of performing dry media blasting, dustless slurry blasting and solely water blasting (such as when the air is not being pushed through). It is understood that no conventional blasting gun exhibits these capabilities prior to the present invention. Hence, dry media blasting, slurry blasting, and water blasting are all regulated by the venturi blaster gun disclosed herein and without a pressurized tank the invention can execute one, any two, or all three of dry media blasting, slurry blasting, and water blasting. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that material disclosed in the applicant&#39;s drawings and description may be modified in certain ways while still producing the same result claimed by the applicant. Such variations are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and equations and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact disclosure shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.