Patent Publication Number: US-2018050349-A1

Title: Nozzle assembly for spraying apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application relates to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, for “Spraying Apparatus,” filed on even date herewith; and Ser. No. ______, for “Pump Assembly for Spraying Apparatus,” filed on even date herewith, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety including the drawings. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to a spraying apparatus for spraying a liquid onto a surface. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Spray bottles may be used to dispense a liquid onto a surface. One such type of spray bottles includes a container or bottle, having a neck, that contains the liquid and a head attached to the neck of the bottle. The head includes a nozzle, a pump assembly, a trigger, and a tube. When the trigger is pulled, the pump assembly draws the liquid from the bottle via the tube and sprays the liquid out of the nozzle. 
     Lawn-and-garden sprayers and the like have a tank for storing a liquid therein and a wand connected to the tank by a hose. A pump system is provided on the tank and is used to pressurize a reservoir within the tank. The wand includes a valve that is operated by depressing a lever. Upon depressing the lever, the valve opens, and the liquid is expelled from the wand so long as the pressure within the reservoir is above atmospheric pressure. 
     Additionally, while each of the devices disclosed above are suitable for the uses and problems they intend to solve, there is an ongoing need for improvements in the design of a spraying apparatus, such as one that does not require a buildup of pressure within the tank of a sprayer, yet delivers a sufficiently strong stream of liquid. 
     It is to this to which the present invention is directed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment, a spraying apparatus for spraying a liquid onto a surface is disclosed. The spraying apparatus includes a tank defining a reservoir that stores a liquid; a hose; and a wand independently moveable of the tank and connected in fluid communication with the reservoir via the hose. The wand includes a body defining a barrel having a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with the hose and terminating at an outlet port; and a nozzle assembly having a hub and an array of nozzles circumferentially arranged around the hub. At least some of the array of nozzles each defining at least one aperture having a different configuration than the others. The hub is rotatable relative to the barrel to position one of the nozzles in fluid communication with the outlet port to select a corresponding configuration. 
     According to another embodiment, a spraying apparatus for spraying a liquid onto a surface is disclosed. The spraying apparatus includes a tank that stores a liquid; a neck extending from the tank and defining an opening; a pump assembly including a collar removably attached to the neck, a pump drawing the liquid from the tank when actuated, and a housing defining a cavity therethrough to provide a carrying handle; and a wand separate from the tank including a body and a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly having a hub rotatably attached to the body and a plurality of nozzles circumferentially arranged around the hub extending radially outward from the hub; and an elongate hose having a first end attached the pump assembly and a second end connected to the body. The pump assembly, the wand, and the elongate hose are separable from the tank by detaching the collar. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a spraying apparatus for spraying a liquid onto a surface is disclosed. The spraying apparatus includes a tank defining a reservoir that stores a liquid; and a pump assembly separate of the tank and connected to a hose. The pump assembly includes a body connected to the hose and defines a fluid passageway having an outlet port in fluid communication with the hose. The spraying apparatus further includes a nozzle assembly including a hub rotatably attached to the body and a plurality of nozzles circumferentially arranged around the hub and extending radially outward from the hub. At least some of the array of nozzles each defining at least one aperture having a different configuration from the others. The hub rotates relative to the body to place a desired one of the nozzles in fluid communication with the outlet port to select a corresponding configuration. 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing and detailed description. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts through the several views, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spraying apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the spraying apparatus with an optional arm strap; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the spraying apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a rotatable nozzle assembly at the end of the spraying apparatus that includes a plurality of nozzle ends, each having a configuration, which are illustrated in front plan view in  FIGS. 4A-4F ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded side view of a barrel and hub of the nozzle assembly, illustrating the connecting relationship between the barrel and hub of the nozzle assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the spraying apparatus illustrating a pumping action to draw liquid through a suction tube, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the suction tube and a piston assembly within the pump assembly of the spraying apparatus; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a collar connecting the neck of the tank to the pump assembly of the spraying apparatus; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of a cap attached on the neck of the tank to close the tank during storage; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the optional arm strap; 
         FIG. 9B  is a top view of the optional arm strap; 
         FIG. 10A  is a first side view of a long strip of the optional arm strap; 
         FIG. 10B  is a second side view of the long strip of the optional arm; 
         FIG. 10C  is a first side view of a short strip of the optional arm strap; 
         FIG. 10D  is a second side view of the short strip of the optional arm strap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a spraying apparatus  20  includes a tank  22  having a main portion  24  with a top  26 , a bottom  28 , and at least one sidewall  30  interconnected to define a reservoir of the tank  22 . The spraying apparatus  20  may be utilized to dispense a cleaning solution, and in other implementations, the spraying apparatus  20  may be utilized to dispense other types of liquids and solutions, such as fertilizer solutions. The reservoir of tank  22  is configured to store a liquid such as water, bleach, etc. The bottom  28  of the main portion  24  is connected to a base  36  that is configured to be supported on a floor or other surface, and to provide stability to the tank  22 . The base  36  may be elliptical in shape and may include a nonskid bottom surface  38  that has a coefficient of friction that is greater than a coefficient of friction of the main portion  24  of the tank  22 . Suitable materials for the base  36  include high density polyethylene (HDPE), chemically resistant plastic material, or other suitable plastic material. A suitable material for the nonskid bottom surface  38  is rubber, for example. The rubber may be overmolded onto the base  36  during a single forming operation to form the nonskid bottom surface  38 . The tank  22  also includes a neck  40  that extends upwardly from the top  26  of the main portion  24 . The neck  40  is hollow and defines an opening that allows liquid to be added or removed from the reservoir of the tank  22 . The neck  40  may include a threaded portion (not shown) disposed on an upper end that connects with a pump assembly  48 , as described below. The neck  40  can have a relatively large thickness to reinforce it for supporting the pump assembly  48 . The tank  22  may include a carrying handle  41  that loops between the main portion  24  and the neck  40 . The tank  22  can further include an optional body strap  65  for holding a hose  72 , as described below, when in use or during storage. 
     The tank  22  may be made of any material suitable to hold a liquid such as metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, composite, or other material. The tank  22  may be available in a plurality of different materials to suit the specific chemical solution being utilized in order to provide a nonreactive and/or noncorrosive vessel for a range of different chemical solutions. The main portion  24  may include a window  34  allowing a user to see inside the tank to assess the fullness of the reservoir. The window  34  may be a transparent or translucent material such as glass or plastic. Alternatively, the tank  22  may include a gauge to measure the amount of liquid in the reservoir. The main portion  24  may also include a plurality of loops  46  that allow the tank  22  to be secured with bungee cords or other tie-downs to prevent the tank from moving or tipping during transporting or during use. Each of the plurality of loops  46  may have an internal cavity, which, in certain examples, the internal cavity is separated from the tank  22  through a dividing wall (not shown). The dividing walls inhibit liquid inside the tank  22  from entering the internal cavities of the loops  46  so that the inner surfaces of the loops  46  do not have to be cleaned. The carrying handle  41  may also have an internal cavity with a dividing wall (not shown) so that cleaning of the inner surface of the carrying handle  41  is not necessary. 
     The pump assembly  48  may include a pump housing  50  having an upper end  52  and a lower end  54 . The lower end  54  may include a collar  56  that is attachable to the neck  40 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 8A , the collar  56  may include threads that cooperate with a threaded portion  42  of the neck  40  to facilitate attaching and detaching the pump assembly  48  to the tank  22 . The connection allows the pump assembly  48  to be completely detached from the tank  22 . The pump housing  50  may comprise two or more modular components that can be separately removed to obtain access to the internal components of the pump assembly  48  for service and replacement. One such individual component is identified as component  63  on  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8B , a cap  57  may cover an opening formed at the top of the neck  40  when the pump assembly  48  is removed. The cap  57  may include threads, similar to that of the collar  56 , which cooperate with the threaded portion  42  of the neck  40 . Alternatively, another type of connection may be used as described herein, such as a press-fit connection. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-3 , the pump assembly  48  also includes a grip member  58  and a trigger  60  to facilitate drawing liquid up from the tank  22 . The trigger  60  is pivotably attached via a pin  62  and is moveable relative to the grip member  58  between a released position (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) and a squeezed position (not shown). The grip member  58  also includes a stop  61  so that a user&#39;s hand does not slide up the grip member  58  into a difficult position to actuate the trigger  60 . The pump assembly  48  also includes an upper handle  64  that may be used to carry the spraying apparatus  20  when the pump assembly  48  is connected to the neck  40 . Alternatively, the upper handle  64  may be used to carry the pump assembly  48  when the pump assembly  48  is detached from the tank  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the spraying apparatus  20  also includes a wand  66  that is connected to the tank  22  via the hose  72  for directing the spray of liquid towards an intended target. The wand  66  may be available in a plurality of different materials to suit the specific chemical solution being utilized in order to provide a nonreactive and/or noncorrosive vessel for a range of different chemical solutions. The wand  66  is separate from the tank  22  and is independently movable relative to the tank  22 , thereby allowing a user to place the tank  22  on the ground next to the user and freely move the wand  66  in order to spray a liquid from inside the tank  22  onto a desired surface. The wand  66  includes a body  68  having a barrel  70 , a first projection  73 , and a second projection  74 . The first and second projections  73 ,  74  may extend outwardly from the barrel  70  at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel  70 . As used herein, “substantially” means within a tolerance of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 degrees or any range selected from any two of the identified values. Alternatively, the first and second projections  73 ,  74  may extend outwardly at angles that are not substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel  70 , such as 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 85 degrees or any range selected from any two of the identified values. The various components of the wand  66  may be integrally formed. For example, the entire body  68  may be a single-piece, ejection-molded component. 
     A nozzle assembly  76  is rotatably attached to the body  68 . For example, the nozzle assembly  76  may include a disk shaped hub  78  having a rounded sidewall that is rotatably attached to the barrel  70 . An array of nozzles  80  circumferentially arranged around the hub  78  and extend outwardly from the sidewall of the hub  78 . Each nozzle  80  has a distal end  81 . Each of the nozzles  80  is in fluid communication with the reservoir of the tank  22  and is configured to spray the liquid from the distal end  81  of the nozzle  80 . Each of the distal ends  81  may define at least one aperture  160  that creates a unique configuration. Preferably, one of the distal ends  81  do not include any apertures  160 , thereby acting as a safety nozzle to close off the liquid spray. Each of the nozzles  80  has an individual configuration, thereby providing a user with several choices of spraying and stream options from the wand  66 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wand  66  includes three different spray patterns, three different stream sizes, and a safety nozzle. It is to be understood that the nozzle assembly  76  may include greater or fewer than six nozzles  80 . Non-limiting examples of different configurations  80   a - 80   f  for the distal end  81  of the nozzles  80  are shown in  FIGS. 4A-4F , respectively. For example,  FIG. 4D  depicts configuration  80   d , which includes a sized stream  80   d   1  and a spray pattern  80   d   2 . 
     The wand  66  also includes a valve assembly  82  for regulating the flow of the liquid through the body  68  and the nozzle assembly  76 . The valve assembly  82  includes a tubular body  84  that connects with the second projection  74  on one end and the hose  72  on the other end. The valve assembly  82  may have a ball valve disposed on a shaft  88  and may be pivotable between fully open, fully closed, and a plurality of partially open positions. The shaft  88  may be connected with a lever  86  that allows a user to rotate the ball valve on the shaft  88  between different positions to control the flow of the liquid. The valve assembly  82  can also include one or more optional O-rings (not shown). 
     A wand handle  90  may be connected to the body  68  for further directing the wand  66 . In one embodiment, the wand handle  90  includes a gripping rod  92 . A clamp  94  secures the gripping rod  92  to the first projection  73 . The clamp  94  may be C-shaped to include a projection-receiving portion and a pair of arms  100 . The gripping rod  92  may include a perpendicular sleeve  98  that fits between the arms  100  such that a fastener  96  may extend through the arms  100  and through the sleeve  98  to connect the gripping rod  92  to the first projection  73 . The fastener  96  may be loosened to allow the clamp  94  to pivot about the first projection  73  and to allow the sleeve  98  to pivot about the fastener  96 . The axial direction of the first projection  73  and the axial direction of the fastener  96  may be substantially perpendicular to each other providing a large range of different positions for the gripping rod  92 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the tubular body  84  of the valve assembly  82  defines a first fluid passage  118  that connects with the hose  72 . A ball valve  120 , having a ball  122 , is disposed within the first fluid passage  118  and is sized such that an outer surface of the ball  122  is disposed against the walls of the first fluid passage  118 . The ball  122  includes an aperture  124  that allows fluid to pass through the ball  122  when the ball valve  120  is at least partially open. The ball  122  is disposed on the shaft  88  such that the ball  122  is pivotable relative to the tubular body  84 . The shaft  88  may be a pair of shafts that includes an upper shaft  126  and a lower shaft  128 . The lever  86  may be connected to the lower shaft  128  to rotate the ball  122  to control the position of the ball  122  within the first fluid passage  118 . 
     As described above, the nozzle assembly  76  is rotatably attached to the body  68  to allow a different one of the nozzles  80  to be selectively used. The position of the hub  78  and the barrel  70  may be variably fixed and rotated by interlocking teeth, or, alternatively, by a detent and pocket, or a ball and socket. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the barrel  70  may be tubular and include a top  130 , a bottom  132 , and at least one sidewall  135  extending therebetween. The first and second projections  73 ,  74  extend from the sidewall  135 . The bottom  132  defines a downwardly facing first set of teeth  134  that mesh with a corresponding upwardly facing second set of teeth  144  defined by the top  142  of the hub  78 . The hub  78  also includes a bottom  146  and at least one sidewall  148  extending therefrom. The barrel  70  and the hub  78  are arranged such that the center point of the hub  78  and the center point of the barrel  70  are axially aligned on the same axis  136 . The barrel  70  and the hub  78  may be sized such that the outer surface  140  of the barrel  70  is flush with the outer surface  150  of the hub  78  when the teeth  134 ,  144  are interlocked. In order to rotate the hub  78  relative to the barrel  70 , the hub  78  is first manually pulled downwardly away from the barrel  70  in an axial direction along the axis  136  to disengage the teeth  134 ,  144 . The hub  78  is then rotated to position a desired nozzle  80  in fluid communication with the reservoir of the tank  22  after the hub  78  is returned to its original position and the teeth  134 ,  144  have been re-engaged. In one or more embodiments, a spring assembly  154  is used to maintain the teeth in the engaged position. 
     Each of the nozzles  80  may include a barrel  156  that projects outwardly from the outer surface  150  of the hub  78 . The barrels  156  may be integrally formed with the hub  78 . The barrel  156  may extend in an axial direction that is substantially perpendicular to axial direction  136 . A cap  158  may be disposed over a portion of each barrel  156 . One or more of the caps  158  may include a grip to allow the cap  158  to be rotated relative to the barrel  156 . This rotatable movement, whether aided by a grip or not, allows the configuration of the nozzle  80  to be moved from an open position to a closed position and therebetween. The caps  158  and the barrels  156  may be integrally formed as a single piece for caps not intended to rotate. In some embodiments, the caps  158  are optional. 
     The caps  158  or the barrels  156  may define the distal end  81 , which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the barrel  70 . Depending upon the embodiment, the distal end  81  may define one or more apertures, or may not include any apertures.  FIGS. 4A-4F  illustrate different configurations. Configuration  80 A does not include any apertures and is a safety nozzle that prevents fluid from spraying from the wand  66  and is a redundancy in case a user accidentally opens the valve  120  inadvertently, or the valve  120  fails. Moreover, the safety nozzle can inhibit excess liquid residing in the nozzle assembly  76  from exiting therefrom. Each of nozzles  80   b ,  80   c , and  80   d  includes a different pattern of apertures. The apertures may have a uniform size as shown in  FIG. 4B , or the apertures may be of varying size as shown in  FIG. 4D . Configurations  80   e  and  80   f  each include only a single aperture, which are different sizes to provide different cross-sectional stream sizes. It is also contemplated to have a fully open nozzle head having a stream aperture similar to the diameter of that of a distal end  81 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , barrel  70  includes a spindle  170  depending from the bottom surface  132 . The barrel  70  and the spindle  170  may be integrally formed as a single piece. A second fluid passage  174  is defined within the body  68  and extends downwardly from the top  130  of the barrel  70  and into the spindle  170 . The second fluid passage  174  includes an inlet port  176  disposed in the barrel  70 , and an outlet port  178  defined by the spindle  170 . The inlet port  176  is formed by a bore extending through the second projection  74 . The bore defined by the second projection  74  is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage  118  of the valve assembly  82 . If the body  68  is integrally formed, the bore in the second projection  74  and the second fluid passage  174  may be a continuous passage extending through the body  68 . 
     The hub  78  defines a bore  180  having an inner surface  182 . When assembled, the hub  78  is received on the spindle  170  such that the inner surface  182  is slidably received on the outer surface  172  of the spindle  170 . As noted above, a spring assembly  154  connects with the bottom of the spindle  170  and retains the hub  78  on the spindle  170 . The hub  78  can slide axially (e.g., up and down) along the spindle  170  to engage and disengage the teeth  134 ,  144  through adjusting the spring assembly  154  between a relaxed state to a flexed state. When the spring assembly  154  is in the flexed state, the hub  78  can rotate around the spindle  170  to cycle through the nozzles  80 . Once the desired nozzle  80  is selected, the spring assembly  154  can be released, thereby returning the spring assembly  154  to its relaxed state, wherein the barrel  70  and hub  78  are contacting each other. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spring assembly  154  is in the relaxed state. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the spring assembly  154  is in the flexed state. 
     Each of the caps  158  may include an inner surface  190  that is received on the outer surface  188  of a corresponding barrel  156 . The caps  158  may be slidably received on the barrels  156 , or may be fixed relative to the barrels with adhesive or other means. 
     Each of the barrels  156  defines a portion of a third fluid passage  184  that includes an inlet port  186  defined by the inner surface  182  of the bore  180 . The third fluid passage  184  extends from the inlet port  186  to the distal end  81 . In order to selectively provide liquid to only one of the nozzles  80 , the spindle  170  only includes a single outlet port  178 . During use, the user rotates the hub  78  relative to the spindle  170  to place a desired nozzle  80  in fluid communication with the outlet port  178 . 
     During operation, liquid flows from the valve assembly  82  and into the barrel  70  via the inlet port  176 . The liquid then flows downwardly through the second fluid passage  174  and out the outlet port  178 . The outlet port  178  is adjacent to one of the inlet ports  186 , allowing the liquid to flow into the third fluid passage  184  and out one or more of the apertures  160 . The spindle  170  and the bore  180  may be sized to create a liquid-tight fit between the outer surface  172  of the spindle  170  and the inner surface  182  of the bore  180  to force the liquid flowing through the outlet port  178  into the third fluid passage  184 . 
     The hose  72  includes a proximal end  102 , which connects to the upper end  52  of the pump housing  50 , and a distal end  104 , which includes a fitting  106  that connects with the valve assembly  82  of the wand  66 . In one example, the fitting  106  and the distal end  104  of the hose  72  are adhesively connected, although in other examples, other connections can be used such as press-fit or threaded connections. The fitting  106  and the nozzle assembly  76  are in threaded connection, although other connections are contemplated, such as friction fit or adhesive connection. The proximal end  102  may also include a threaded connection for connecting to the pump housing  50 , but other connections are contemplated, such as friction fit or adhesive connection. The hose  72  may be made out of any material for flexible tubing and can have more than one layer, such as a double-wall with two layers. A sleeve  108  may surround the hose  72  near the distal end  104 . The sleeve  108  may be padded to provide comfort to the user. The sleeve  108  may also be stiff and, therefore, usable as an elongated handle for extra reach and control. A Velcro® strap  110  can also be used to bundle and reduce the length of the hose  72  when the spraying apparatus  20  is in use. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pump assembly  48  includes a pump subassembly  200  disposed within the pump housing  50 . The pump subassembly  200  includes a cylinder  202  and a piston  206  slidably received within the cylinder  202 . The piston  206  may optionally include a circular groove (not shown) that receives one or more O-rings  220 . The cylinder  202  and the piston  206  cooperate to define a chamber  204  that increases and decreases in volume depending upon the position of the piston  206  relative to the cylinder  202 . The chamber  204  is connected in fluid communication with a siphon tube  208  that extends downwardly into the reservoir of the tank  22  and extends upwardly to connect with the hose  72 . The siphon tube  208  can be made of one or more tube segments. The piston  206  includes a rod  216  having an enlarged end  218  that couples to a head  226  of the trigger  60 . The enlarged end  218  may include a pin  222  that is received within a slot  230  defined in the head  226 . The components of the pump subassembly  200  may be made of any material suitable to hold a liquid such as metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, composite, or other material. These components may be available in a plurality of different materials to suit the specific chemical solution being utilized in order to provide a nonreactive and/or noncorrosive vessel for a range of different chemical solutions. 
     The trigger  60  is actuatable between a released position (shown in solid lines) and a squeezed position (shown in broken lines). A spring  228  holds the trigger  60  in the released position. Actuation of the trigger  60  slides the piston  206  within the cylinder  202 . When the trigger  60  is in the released position, the piston  206  is located in a retracted position creating the largest volume in the chamber  204 . When in the squeezed position, the piston  206  is located in an extended position creating the smallest volume in the chamber  204 . 
     When the trigger  60  is squeezed, the piston  206  extends to pressurize fluid or air in the chamber  204 . The positive pressure within the chamber  204  forces the fluid out of an outlet port  232  defined in a wall of the cylinder  202  into the siphon tube  208 , and then into the hose  72 . A lower one-way valve  210 , which includes a ball  210   a , that sits within a lower restriction  211 , and a stopper  210   b  disposed on (or in) the siphon tube  208 , prevents fluid from flowing from the chamber  204  into the reservoir of the tank  22 . When the trigger  60  is released, the piston  206  retracts creating suction within the chamber  204  to draw liquid from the reservoir of the tank  22  into the chamber  204 . An upper one-way valve  212 , which includes a ball  212   a , that sits within an upper restriction  213 , and a stopper  212   b , prevents fluid from flowing from the hose  72  to the chamber  204 . Beneficially, the siphon tube  208  and hose  72 , once primed, remains full for at least the current use period. The stoppers  210   b ,  212   b  may include a plurality of perforations to allow fluid to flow through the siphon tube into the hose  72 . 
     Unlike typical lawn-and-garden sprayers and the like that pressurize the tank, the tank  22  of the present invention remains near atmospheric pressure because the squeezing of the trigger  60  pressurizes the cylinder  204  and the hose  72  without pressurizing the tank  22 . The lower one-way valve  210  prevents the piston  206  from driving fluid or air into the tank  22 , thereby preventing the piston  206  from pressurizing the tank  22 . A third one-way valve  236  is provided on the top  26  of the tank  22  and is configured to let air flow from only outside of the tank  22  to inside the tank  22  preventing a negative pressure from being created in the tank  22 . Accordingly, a user may operate the spraying apparatus  20  when it is detached from the tank  22 . In contrast, the typical lawn-and-garden sprayer cannot be used without the tank because the tank is the portion of the sprayer that is pressurized. Moreover, the hose is typically attached to the tank and not to a pump assembly. 
     While the figures illustrate the one-way valves  210 ,  212 ,  236  as being ball valves, other one-way valves are contemplated, the structure of which is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an optional arm strap  112  may be provided on the sleeve  108  to attach the sleeve  108  of the hose  72  to a user&#39;s forearm, or other body part. The arm strap  112  may be provided for holding the hose  72  close to the forearm of the user. When the arm strap  112  is attached to the forearm or upper arm of the user, the nozzle assembly  76  can be easily manipulated by the user, and additionally controlled by using the wand handle  90 . A second optional arm strap  112  may be provided closer to the proximal end  102  of the hose  72  for attaching hose  72  to a user&#39;s upper arm. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B , a specific embodiment of the arm strap  112  is illustrated as an optional arm strap  900 . The optional arm strap  900  includes a long strip portion  902  and a short strip portion  904 . As shown in  FIGS. 10A, and 10B , the long strip portion  902  includes a first side  906  and a second side  908 . The long strip portion  902  is constructed of a base material, such as a stretch elastic material. The first and second sides  906 ,  908  are characterized in that an attachment material, such as a Velcro® material, is attached to the base material. The first side  906  includes a first portion  910  that is exposed in that there is no additional material attached to the base material. The first side  906  also includes a second portion  912  in which a female fastening material is attached to the base material. The female fastening material may be the loop side of a Velcro® material. The first side  906  further includes a third portion  914  that is exposed base material. The second side  908  includes a first portion  916  that is exposed base material. The second side  908  also includes a second portion  918  in which a male fastening material is attached to the base material. The male fastening material may be the hook side of a Velcro® material. The second side  908  further includes a third portion  920  that is exposed base material. The third portion  920  functions as a point for the user to grasp and facilitate wrapping the arm strap  900 . Wherever a female or male fastening material is utilized, the opposite type of fastening material can be utilized provided that the two materials are opposite each other in a fastening area. The lengths and widths of any of the portions shown can be adjusted based on the diameter of the object, e.g., a user&#39;s forearm or upper arm. 
     As noted above, the optional arm strap  900  further includes a short strip portion  904 . The short strip portion  904  includes a first side  922  and a second side  924 . The short strip portion  904  is constructed of a base material, such as a stretch elastic material. The first and second sides  922 ,  924  are characterized in that an attachment material, such as a Velcro® material, is attached to the base material. The first side  922  includes a first, second, and third portion  926 ,  928 ,  930 , respectively. The first and third portions  926 ,  930  have a male fastening material attached to the base material. The male fastening material may be the hook side of a Velcro® material. The second portion  928  is exposed to the base material. The second side  924  includes a female fastening portion  932  that runs the length and the width of the second side  924 . Wherever a female or male fastening material is utilized, the opposite type of fastening material can be utilized provided that the two materials are opposite each other in a fastening area. The lengths and widths of any of the portions can be adjusted based on the diameter of the object, e.g., a user&#39;s forearm or upper arm. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the long strip  902  is wrapped around itself to form a first aperture  934  for receiving and holding an object, such as the arm of a user that is using the spraying apparatus  20  and a second aperture  936  for receiving and holding the hose  72 . The short strip  904  is situated between the first and second sides  906 ,  908  of the long strip  902  when in its wrapped configuration. The first side  906  of the long strip  902  faces the first side  922  of the short strip  904 , thereby forming a first fastening area  938  between opposing attachment materials. The second side  908  of the long strip  902  faces the second side  924  of the short strip  904 , thereby forming a second fastening area  940  between opposing attachment materials. 
     An exemplary use of the spraying apparatus  20  will now be described. The user can add the desired fluid to the tank  22  and either store the tank  22  with the provided cap  57 , or if ready for use, use the threaded collar  56 . The user than selects a desired configuration  80   a - 80   d  by rotating the nozzle assembly  76  so that the desired configuration is aligned with the outlet port  178 . The user can then rotate the lever  86  to the open position. The spraying apparatus  20  is now ready for use. The user can squeeze and release the trigger  60  to generate linear motion of the piston  206  within the cylinder  202 . This creates an alternating vacuum and positive pressure scenario within the siphon tube  208  inside the tank  22 . When the trigger  60  is squeezed, the upper one-way valve  212  is open while the lower valve  210  is closed, and vice versa when the trigger  60  is released. 
     When the trigger  60  is squeezed, the piston  206  moves forward causing a positive pressure build up in the chamber  204  and the lower one-way valve  210  at the bottom region of the siphon tube  208  is forced closed. Meanwhile, the upper one-way valve  212  at the top region of the siphon tube  208  is pressurized and opened. 
     When the trigger  60  is released, the spring  228  pulls the trigger  60  back to the released position. This action draws the piston  206  outward, creating a vacuum in the chamber  204 , which draws fluid up the siphon tube  208  from the tank  22  and into the chamber  204 . The continuous action of cycling the trigger  60 , cycles the valves  210 ,  212  in the open and closed positions opposite to one another, allowing a continuous flow of liquid through the hose  72  and into the nozzle assembly  76 . While the fluid is being pumped from the tank  22  into the nozzle assembly  76 , a third one-way valve  236  on the tank  22  also cycles between open and closed positions, allowing air to enter the tank  22  to maintain an atmospheric pressure. 
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depends on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
           20  Spraying apparatus 
           22  Tank 
           24  Main portion of tank 
           26  Top of main portion 
           28  Bottom of main portion 
           30  Sidewall of main portion 
           34  Window in main portion 
           36  Base 
           38  Bottom surface of base 
           40  Neck of tank 
           41  Carrying handle of tank 
           42  Threaded portion of neck 
           46  Loops of main portion 
           48  Pump assembly 
           50  Pump housing 
           52  Upper end of pump housing 
           54  Lower end of pump housing 
           56  Collar 
           57  Cap 
           58  Grip member of pump assembly 
           60  Trigger of pump assembly 
           61  Stop on grip member 
           62  Pin 
           63  Component of pump housing 
           64  Upper handle of grip member 
           65  Body strap of tank 
           66  Wand 
           68  Body of wand 
           70  Barrel of wand 
           72  Hose 
           73  First projection of wand 
           74  Second projection of wand 
           76  Nozzle assembly 
           78  Hub 
           80  Nozzle 
           80   a  Configuration of distal end of nozzle 
           80   b  Configuration of distal end of nozzle 
           80   c  Configuration of distal end of nozzle 
           80   d  Configuration of distal end of nozzle 
           80   d   1  Sized stream 
           80   d   2  Spray pattern 
           80   e  Configuration of distal end of nozzle 
           80   f  Configuration of distal end of nozzle 
           81  Distal end of nozzle 
           82  Valve assembly 
           84  Tubular body of valve assembly 
           86  Lever of valve assembly 
           88  Shaft of valve assembly 
           90  Wand handle 
           92  Gripping rod of wand handle 
           94  Clamp of wand handle 
           96  Fastener of wand handle 
           98  Sleeve of wand handle 
           100  Arms of clamp 
           102  Proximal end of hose 
           104  Distal end of hose 
           106  Fitting of hose 
           108  Sleeve of hose 
           110  Velcro® Strap 
           112  Arm strap 
           118  First fluid passage between valve assembly and hose 
           120  Ball valve 
           122  Ball 
           124  Aperture of ball 
           126  Upper shaft of shaft 
           128  Lower shaft of shaft 
           130  Top of barrel 
           132  Bottom of barrel 
           134  Teeth of barrel 
           135  Sidewall of barrel 
           136  Axis 
           140  Outer surface of barrel 
           150  Outer surface of hub 
           142  Top of hub 
           144  Teeth of hub 
           146  Bottom of hub 
           148  Sidewall of hub 
           154  Spring assembly 
           156  Barrel of nozzle 
           158  Cap 
           160  Apertures 
           170  Spindle 
           172  Outer surface of spindle 
           174  Second fluid passage 
           176  Inlet port 
           178  Outlet port 
           180  Bore 
           182  Inner surface of bore 
           184  Third fluid passage 
           186  Inlet port 
           188  Outer surface of barrel 
           190  Inner surface of cap 
           200  Pump subassembly 
           202  Cylinder 
           204  Chamber 
           206  Piston 
           208  Siphon tube 
           210  Lower one-way valve 
           210   a  Ball 
           210   b  Stopper 
           211  Lower restriction 
           212  Upper one-way valve 
           212   a  Ball 
           212   b  Stopper 
           213  Upper restriction 
           216  Rod 
           218  Enlarged end of rod 
           220  O-ring 
           222  Pin 
           226  Head of trigger 
           228  Spring 
           230  Slot 
           232  Outlet port 
           236  Third one-way valve 
           900  Arm strap 
           902  Long strip portion 
           904  Short strip portion 
           906  First side of long strip portion 
           908  Second side of long strip portion 
           910  First portion of first side of long strip portion 
           912  Second portion of first side of long strip portion 
           914  Third portion of first side of long strip portion 
           916  First portion of second side of long strip portion 
           918  Second portion of second side of long strip portion 
           920  Third portion of second side of long strip portion 
           922  First side of short strip portion 
           924  Second side of short strip portion 
           926  First portion of first side of short strip portion 
           928  Second portion of first side of short strip portion 
           930  Third portion of first side of short strip portion 
           932  Female fastening portion of second side of short strip portion 
           934  First aperture formed in long strip portion 
           936  Second aperture formed in long strip portion 
           938  First fastening area 
           940  Second fastening area