Patent Abstract:
A liquid spray nozzle assembly for an outlet pipe of an air blower, the nozzle assembly includes an outer annular member adapted to be secured to the outlet pipe, an inner member radially spaced from and secured to the outer member to define air flow passages, the inner member having a central opening and a lower surface with vanes extending therefrom; and a supply pipe extending into the central opening such that the air flowing through the central opening will act to shear the liquid exiting the supply pipe against the edge of the opening to break up the liquid into droplets that will be carried along in a dispersed pattern with the air flowing between the outer annular member and the inner member.

Full Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/461,925 filed on Aug. 2, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/974,400 filed Oct. 26, 2004 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/924,522 filed Aug. 19, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a nozzle assembly used for distributing liquid yard treatments such as pesticides and herbicides, and the same used with a portable blower for distributing such liquid treatments. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various devices have been known for the application of liquid materials for lawns and for controlling insects. Typically, a prior art device would utilize a portable leaf blower or other fan propelled misting devices to spray the liquid treatment. However, most of these systems are somewhat flawed for various reasons as explained herein. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,563 discloses a particulate blaster assembly with a vacuum generating assembly secured to the air directing tube near the inlet to the air blower. The particulates when introduced into the air directing tube will have to travel approximately the entire length of the tube. Eventually this type of device can cause a buildup of material along the internal perimeter of the tube and can prevent the device from being used for other types of treatments (i.e. the same tube could not be used for spraying a weed/grass control substance and then used to spray a pesticide). 
   Other types of systems such as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0135004 require the device to have its own power supply means to blow the treatment out of the reservoir. These types of systems add unnecessary weight to the system especially if the user is carrying both the device and another lawn care motorized device such as an air blower or weed trimmer. 
   While the prior art does include devices that release the liquid treatment at the end of the blower tube, these devices introduce the liquid treatment at the circumference of an exit port of the blower tube. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,384 shows a yard blower with a blower tube and a liquid yard treatment reservoir secured to the blower tube and having a feeding tube positioned at the end of the blower tube. These devices do not introduce the liquid treatment within the airflow. This can be a problem because as the airflow leaves the blower tube, the airflow is extremely turbulent and typically expands in all directions. The treatment may thus never enter the main stream of the airflow and thus may be constantly blown out at a single direction and carried by a specific portion of the airflow; rather than being carried or mixed with the entire or major portion of the airflow. 
   While the prior art has certain suitable characteristics, they do not provide a simple, easy to use, and reliable apparatus for dispensing a liquid yard treatment, as provided for herein. There is thus a need for a compact, portable, highly effective nozzle system that can be used with readily available equipment to conveniently spray liquid yard treatments in an effective manner that does not require the liquid material to be introduced at some point within the middle of the blower tube or require a separate power supply. The present invention also provides for a more effective manner of introducing the liquid yard treatment at the exit of the blower tube. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for distributing liquid yard treatment. The apparatus includes a portable blower for creating airflow through a blower tube. The blower tube has an exit end through which the airflow exits. The apparatus further includes a reservoir containing a liquid yard treatment. An end cap is secured to the exit end of the blower tube. The end cap has a inlet end through which the airflow enters and has an exit end through which the airflow exits. A nozzle is centrally positioned within the end cap and has a substantially centrally positioned aperture. The apparatus further includes a feeding tube with one end in fluid communication with the reservoir and with another end positioned about the aperture, such that liquid flows from the reservoir to the nozzle and exits the nozzle about the aperture such that the liquid is substantially centrally positioned in the airflow. 
   The apparatus may also include at least one clip positioned externally along the blower tube for securing the feeding tube to the blower tube. The apparatus may also have a coiled region defined along the feeding tube that is also positioned near the reservoir. 
   Additionally, the apparatus may include a valve mechanism positioned along a portion of the feeding tube that is along the blower tube. The valve mechanism has an open position to allow fluid to flow there through and has a closed position. The apparatus may further include another valve mechanism along the feeding tube. This valve mechanism has two separate interconnecting portions that when detached separates the feeding tube into two sections that are considered non-connected. When the interconnecting portions of the valve mechanism are detached the flow of liquid is stopped and when attached the valve mechanism is automatically opened and the two sections of the feeding tube are connected in fluid communication such that the flow of liquid is permitted. 
   The apparatus may also include a pair of openings defined on the end cap that align with a pair of openings defined on the blower tube. A pair of pins is provided that are separatly inserted into the aligned openings to secure the end cap to the blower tube. 
   In another embodiment, a system for distributing liquid yard treatment for use with a portable blower that creates airflow through a blower tube is provided. The system includes a reservoir containing a liquid yard treatment, a nozzle secured to an exit end of the blower tube, and a feeding tube having one end in fluid communication with the reservoir and having another end in fluid communication with the nozzle. The nozzle has a fluid inlet for communication with one end of the feeding tube. The nozzle also has an exit aperture centrally positioned on the nozzle through which the liquid yard treatment exits. The nozzle further includes openings around the aperture through which the airflow exits, such that the liquid is substantially centrally positioned within the airflow. 
   In yet another embodiment, a liquid spray nozzle assembly for an outlet pipe of an air blower is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an outer annular member adapted to be secured to the outlet pipe. The nozzle assembly further includes an inner member radially spaced from and secured to the outer member to define air flow passages. The inner member has a central opening and a lower surface with vanes extending therefrom. The vanes of which may be arcuately shaped to aid in directly airflow through the central opening. A supply pipe of liquid extends into the central opening whereby the air flowing through the central opening will act to shear the liquid exiting the supply pipe against the edge of the tapered opening to break up the liquid into droplets that will be carried along in a dispersed pattern with the air flowing between the outer annular member and the inner member. 
   The nozzle assembly may further include an inner member that is concentrically shaped. The inner member may also have an upper surface that is outwardly tapered towards the central opening. In addition, the inner member may be secured to the outer annular member by a plurality of support members. The support members may include a ledge positioned to receive a clip defined by the supply pipe such that the supply pipe is attached to the support members. 
   The outer annular member may also include a protrusion to define a channel for receiving a section of the supply pipe for the intake of the liquid. Furthermore, the outer annular member may include a pair of extending members, each having a means for securing the outer annular member to the outlet pipe. Such securing means may be a pair of dog ears with apertures that align with apertures on the outlet pipe. 

   
     Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a system for distributing a liquid yard treatment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a liquid treatment distribution system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of a nozzle assembly and a blow tube; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a disconnect valve mechanism used along the feeding tube on the liquid treatment distribution system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a nozzle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a tube used to direct the treatment to the center of an end cap; 
       FIG. 5  top side perspective view of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross section view of the nozzle assembly shown connected to the blower tube and feeding tube; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portable blower and feeding tube from the liquid treatment distribution system further illustrating the blower tube disconnected from the air exit of the portable blower; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of  FIG. 8  illustrating the blower tube connected to the portable blower; and 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a liquid treatment distribution system with a blower tube connected to the nozzle assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1  there is illustrated a system for distributing a liquid yard treatment, generally designated as  100 . The liquid yard treatment may consist of any type of pesticide or herbicide and may be mixed with water. The system  100  includes a portable blower  110  which generates an airflow that is distributed through a blower tube  115 . The blower  110  typically includes a handle  125  which can be held by the hand of a user  105 . Blower tube  115  includes an end  120  through which airflow exits the blower tube. A liquid treatment distribution system  130  is provided and connected to the blower  110  for introducing the treatment into the existing airflow. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2  the liquid treatment distribution system  130  includes a reservoir  135  that contains the treatment. The treatment flows from the reservoir  135  through a feeding tube  140  to a nozzle assembly  145  that is secured to the end  120  of the blower tube  115 . The reservoir  135  is carried on the back of the user  105  by the use of straps  137  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In this particular embodiment the liquid treatment distribution system  130  uses gravity to flow the liquid treatment from the reservoir  135 . (However, other systems such as suction or siphon systems may be employed.) 
   The feeding tube  140  includes a coiled region  141  towards the reservoir  135  this helps to maintain the feeding tube  140  taut such that excess feeding tube is not dragged and does not get in the way. The feeding tube  140  further includes one or more valves that aid in shutting off the flow of the treatment. The flow may need to be turned off for various reasons, such as, the user may wish to switch back and forth from regular yard work to treating the yard, or when finished. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A  illustrates the use of two valves. A first valve  146  is capable of separating the feeding tube  140 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 , into two sections  140   a  and  140   b . This provides for an easy means of cleaning or refilling the reservoir  135  without carrying the entire system  100  or without carrying the entire liquid treatment distribution system  130 . The feeding tube  140  also includes a second valve  150  positioned at a point along the blower tube  115 . While the second valve  150  also separates the feeding tube  140  into two sections  140   b  and  140   c , the second valve  150  may not be a full release of the two sections  140   b  and  140   c . Thus when the second valve  150  is pressed, the two sections  140   b  and  140   c  will stay connected to each other but the fluid communication between the two sections will shut off. This would permit the flow of treatment to be cut off but still allow the user to easily reconnect the flow with a single hand. Both types of valves are well known in the valve industry. Moreover, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the valves described herein as different valves may be used without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   As mentioned above, the feeding tube  140  connects the reservoir  135  to the nozzle assembly  145 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  4  and  5 , an end  160  of the feeding tube  140  is secured to an L shaped connector  165  that is in fluid communication to a tubular section  170 . The tubular section  170  includes a protruding exit member  175  along the length of the tubular section  170  and includes a pair of clips or supports  180 . The treatment will thus flow from the feeding tube  140  into the tubular section  170  and exit through the protruding exit member  175 . 
   Best shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7 , the nozzle assembly  145  includes an end cap  200 . The end cap  200  includes a first end  205  about an entrance region  207  that is secured to the blower tube  115  and includes a second end  210  about an exit region  211 . The first end  205  and the second end  210  are connected through a wall  215 . A pair of dog ears  212  extends away from the first end  205  and includes openings  214  such that the end cap  200  may be secured to the blower tube  115 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2B , to connect the nozzle assembly  145  to the blower tube  115 , the openings  214  defined on the dog ears  212  on the end cap  200  are aligned with openings  117  on the blower tube  115 . Pins  119  are then inserted to lock the two together. The blower tube  115  may further include a outwardly extending ledge  121  that may help to prevent end cap  200  being pushed to far onto the end of the blower tube  115  prior to aligning the openings and inserting the pins  119 . The end cap  200  may also include a ledge  217  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 ) extending internally which would prevent the end cap  200  from being pushed too far onto the end of the blower tube  115  as the internal ledge  217  would come into contact with the end  120  of the blower tube  115 . 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , protruding from the exterior of the wall  215  is a section  220 , which includes a channel  225  sized to receive the L shaped connector  165 . The channel  225  protrudes outwardly from the wall  215  such that the end  160  of the feeding tube  140  can attach to the tubular section  170  and the treatment may flow into the end cap  200 . 
   Internally, the end cap  200  includes supports  230  that extend radially inward from the wall  215  towards the center of the end cap  200 . Some of the supports  230  also include a ledge  237  (explained in greater detail below). The supports  230  attach to a nozzle  235  centered within the exit region  210 . The supports  230  are separated by opened regions  231  through which the airflow may exit the end cap  200  around the nozzle  235 . 
   The nozzle  235  has a top portion  240  that terminates into a skirt  245  that extends back into the end cap  200 . The supports  230  are secured to the skirt  245 . A plurality of blades  250  are secured to the inside portion of the skirt  245  and to the inside portion of the top portion  240 . The top portion  240  further includes an aperture  255 . Alternatively, the top portion  240  may be angled such that it is diverging towards the aperture  255 . The blades  250  may also be angled and/or curved to help direct the flow of air towards the aperture  255 . 
   When assembled ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), the supports  180  on the tubular section  170  mate with the ledges  237  defined on some of the supports  230 . The tubular section  170  is then aligned such that the connector  165  is positioned in the channel  225  and the protruding exit member  175  is positioned at the aperture  255  in the top portion  240 . The end  177  of the protruding exit member  175  may be flushed with the aperture  255 , recessed as illustrated, or even protruding from the aperture. Therefore, the protruding exit member  175  is positioned along the tubular section  170  at a point that is substantially centered or along the symmetrical axis of the nozzle assembly  145 . 
   Illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the blower tube  115  is secured at one end  300  to the blower exit  310  on the portable blower  100 . One means of connection would include detents  305  on the end  300  of the blower tube  115  that are secured to corresponding protruding locks (not shown) in the blower exit  310 . Grooves  307  on the end  300  of the blower tube  115  may also be included to help guide or lock the blower tube  115  in place. The blower tube  115  also includes clips  315  to secure the feeding tube  140  thereto. This eliminates any problems caused by dangling tubes. 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 9 , once assembled, the portable blower  100  can be activated to create a flow of air. The second valve mechanism  150  can be opened to allow the fluid to continue its flow into the nozzle assembly  145 . The treatment will then be introduced into the center of the airflow (rather than along the circumference). The airflow traveling through the nozzle  235  will become turbulent as it is directed by the blades and exits the aperture  255  to mix with the treatment. A portion of the airflow will also exit around the nozzle  235  through the exit regions  210  to keep the turbulent mixture of air and treatment centered as well as blown out a significant distance from the exit region  211 . 
   While the above description may refer to the blower tube  115  as being part of the portable blower  110 , it is possible to retro fit a typical portable blower  110  with a liquid treatment distribution system  130  in accordance with the present invention. In those instances, a blower tube that is initially provided in the typical portable blower  100  is replaced with blower tube  115  described herein above. In those embodiments (illustrated in  FIG. 10 ), the blower tube  115  becomes part of a kit  300  used to allow a user to convert a portable blower  110  to a system which includes a liquid treatment distribution system  130 . 
   It should be further stated the specific information shown in the drawings but not specifically mentioned above may be ascertained and read into the specification by virtue of a simple study of the drawings. Moreover, the invention is also not necessarily limited by the drawings or the specification as structural and functional equivalents may be contemplated and incorporated into the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8