Abstract:
An apparatus for applying a shredded foil radiant barrier on top of existing attic insulation. The foil is spun in an air vortex created in a tank, and is blown from there via a hose/applicator to a remote attic. A conical component in the tank helps to establish and maintain the vortex, and to minimize leaving shredded foil in the bottom of the tank.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/804,895 filed on Jun. 15, 2006. 
     
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0004]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates generally to a novel and unique dynamic blower system, and methods of constructing and utilizing same. 
         [0006]    More particularly, the present invention relates to a dynamic blower system for applying a shredded foil radiant barrier, and a methods of constructing and using same. 
         [0007]    The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by: 
         [0008]    Palmquist et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,400; 
         [0009]    Tung U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,944; 
         [0010]    Hardesty U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,142; 
         [0011]    Hebert et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,909 
         [0012]    Liou U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,149; and 
         [0013]    Gerber U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,543. 
         [0014]    It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of the prior art and conventional apparatuses and systems, and to provide a novel and unique easy-to-use dynamic blower system. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention provides a dynamic blower system for applying a blowable material, comprising a tank into which the blowable material may be loaded; first means operable interconnected with said tank for generating an air vortex in said tank, which air vortex causes said blowable material to enter and spin with said vortex; an output hose applicator operably interconnected with said tank; and second means operably interconnected with said tank and positioned relative to said vortex to direct the spinning material into and through said output hose applicator to enable a user to apply the blowable material where desired. 
         [0016]    The present invention also provides a method of applying a shredded foil radiant reflective barrier, comprising the steps of: supplying shredded foil to a tank; generating an air vortex in said tank; causing said air vortex to pick up said shredded foil to spin with the vortex in said tank; directing the spinning shredded foil to move through output applicator means; and forming the shredded foil radiant reflective barrier by applying the shredded foil with the output applicator means. 
         [0017]    The present invention provides a dynamic blower system for blowing shredded foil or any other media as described and illustrated hereinbelow. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a dynamic blower system as described and illustrated hereinbelow which will easily fit or pass through any door in a home or commercial building. 
         [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a blower system which can apply shredded aluminum foil, radiant barrier, or any other media on top of existing attic insulation, which foil, barrier, or other media, reflects heat away from said insulation in summer, reflects heat back to said insulation in winter preventing heat from escaping, and will allow moisture to pass therethrough. 
         [0020]    Other objects, advantages, features and modifications of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to other persons after having been exposed to the present patent specification with its accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an elevational perspective view, partly in section, of a first embodiment of the invention, 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along the plane  2 - 2  of the  FIG. 1  embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a view of the type of shredded media applied by the  FIG. 1  embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view of a radiant barrier applied by the invention on existing attic insulation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention shown with the lid opened. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 5  embodiment shown with the lid closed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a dynamic blower system  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0028]    The system  10  includes a tank  11 , a power blower unit  12 , media scoop  13 , a quick connect/disconnect device  14 , an output hose/applicator  15 , an air exhaust lift control valve  16 , an air and particulate filter  17 , a folding kickstand  18 , a view port  19 , a blow pipe  20 , a circulating nozzle  21 , a loading port  22 , a fill cap  23 , and a kickstand latch device  24 . 
         [0029]    Media to be blown and/or applied is loaded into the tank  11  via the loading port  22 . 
         [0030]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the media may take the form of shredded aluminum foil  25  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . 
         [0031]    The fill cap  23  serves to prevent foil  25  from being blown out of the loading port  22 . 
         [0032]    The viewing port  19  enables the user to determine if re-filling of the tank  11  is needed. 
         [0033]    The power blower unit  12  directs a high pressure stream of air into the tank  11  via blow pipe  20  and circulating nozzle  21  creating a spinning air vortex in tank  11 . 
         [0034]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the nozzle  21  is movable and/or positionable within tank  11  to achieve the desired vortex. 
         [0035]    The air vortex spins the shredded foil  25  in the direction of arrows  26  and  27 . 
         [0036]    The shredded foil  25  spins into media scoop  13  which directs the foil  25  out through the outlet port  28  and into the quick connect/disconnect device  14  and output hose/applicator  15 . 
         [0037]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the output hose applicator  15  can include a very lengthy hose to enable the user to position the tank  11  where convenient and/or desired, and yet easily reach a distant attic  29  ( FIG. 4 ) for applying therein a radiant reflective barrier  30  of shredded foil  25 . 
         [0038]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the device  14  can be a flexible device. 
         [0039]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the valve  16  may take the form of an adjustable relief valve. 
         [0040]    The kickstand  18  allows the tank  11  to be tilted during operation. 
         [0041]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the kickstand latch device  24  may be provided with a pivot connection  33  to the tank  11 , and a hook  31  which can hook over a wing nut  32  on the kickstand  18 . 
         [0042]    The system  10  permits the user to easily, quickly, and very conveniently apply a shredded foil radiant barrier  30  to not-so-readily-accessible areas, such as, an attic  29 . 
         [0043]    The radiant barrier  30 , which can be placed on top of existing home insulation, will reflect approximately 96% of the radiant heat. 
         [0044]    In addition, the barrier  30  is non-flammable, fully breathable, and does not cause any condensation problem. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is illustrated a second embodiment in the form of a dynamic blower system  40  which operates substantially similar, but not identical, to the system  10  described hereinabove. 
         [0046]    The system  40  includes a tank  41 , a power blower unit  42 , media scoop or internal directional louver  43 , a quick connect/disconnect device  44 , an output hose/applicator (not shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , but similar to hose/applicator  15  shown in  FIG. 2 ), a blower control switch  45 , an adjustable air valve  46 , an air and particulate filter  47 , a conical member  48 , a view port  49 , a blow pipe  50 , a circulating nozzle (not shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , but similar to nozzle  21  shown in  FIG. 2 ), a loading port  51 , a lid  52 , an adjustable lock latch  53 , an output port  54 , and a hose  55  for venting and assisting to lift the shredded foil  25  in the tank  41   
         [0047]    Media to be blown and/or applied is loaded into the tank  41  via the loading port  51 . 
         [0048]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the media may take the form of shredded aluminum foil  25  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . 
         [0049]    The lid  52  serves to prevent the shredded foil  25  from being blown out of the loading port  51 . 
         [0050]    The viewing port  49  enables the user to determine if re-filling of the tank  41  is needed. 
         [0051]    The power blower unit  42  directs a high pressure stream of air into the tank  41  via the blow pipe  50  and circulating nozzle creating a spinning air vortex in tank  41 . 
         [0052]    The conical member  48  assists in establishing and maintaining the vortex, and minimizes accumulation of the shredded foil  25  remaining in the tank  41 . 
         [0053]    It is important to note that the present invention provides a blower system which can apply shredded aluminum foil, radiant barrier, or any other media, on top of existing attic insulation, which foil, barrier, or other media reflects heat away from said insulation in summer, reflects heat back to said insulation in winter preventing heat from escaping, and will allow moisture to pass therethrough. 
         [0054]    While the foregoing describes only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the present invention covers all variations, modifications and changes thereof which will occur to those persons skilled in the art and to other persons after having been exposed to the present patent application.