Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fluid dispensing devices and more particularly to pressurized tank sprayers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pressurized tank sprayers, also referred to as pressure sprayers, are often utilized to dispense low viscosity liquids. The typical pressure sprayer consists of a tank or container for holding a solution, a hand pump, and a spray wand with a discharge valve. In operation, a person partially fills the tank with a solution leaving a portion of the tank unfilled. Next, the user attaches a hand pump to the tank. As the user strokes the hand pump, the pump mechanism forces air from outside the tank into the portion of the tank unoccupied by the solution, causing the air pressure in the tank to become greater than the atmospheric pressure outside of the tank. When a user triggers the discharge valve on the spray wand, the increased pressure within the tank propels the solution from the tank through a nozzle that terminates the spray wand. The pressure sprayer will continue to propel solution from the tank until the air pressure in the tank approximately equals the atmospheric pressure outside the tank. Then the user must again stroke the pump to redevelop the increased pressure within the tank. 
     Typical pressure sprayer hand pumps must be repeatedly stroked in order to generate a pressure sufficient to propel solution from the container. When numerous strokes are required to pressurize the sprayer, the user may become tired and consider the pressurization process a bother. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a pressure sprayer that could be more easily pressurized. It would also be advantageous if such pressure sprayer could be easily stabilized during the pressurization process and at other times when the user is working with the sprayer. 
     SUMMARY 
     A pressure sprayer includes a tank configured to receive fluid through an opening in the tank, and a removable cap covering the opening in the tank. Attached to the cap are a first handle extending outwardly from a first side of the cap and a second handle extending outwardly from a second side of the cap opposite the first side. The cap includes a passage leading to the opening in the tank. The pressure sprayer further includes a removable pump that engages the cap, wherein the pump is operable to advance air into the tank to pressurize the tank on both an upstroke and a downstroke. 
     To stabilize the spray pump during the pressurization process, the tank includes a base portion having a first lateral foot contact portion extending outward from a first side of the tank, and a second lateral foot contact portion extending outward from a second side of the tank opposite the first side. The first and second lateral foot contact portions are arranged and dimensioned such that a substantial portion of a man&#39;s feet may be placed on the first and second lateral foot contact portions when the man is in a standing position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a pressurized tank sprayer. 
         FIG. 2  depicts another perspective view of the pressurized tank sprayer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the tank of the pressurized tank sprayer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the pressurized tank sprayer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  depicts a cross-sectional view of the cap for the pressurized tank sprayer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a top view of the cap of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  depicts a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross-sectional view of a double action hand pump of the pressurized tank sprayer of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the double action hand pump of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  depicts a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the double action hand pump of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the double action hand pump in the downstroke configuration. 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the double action hand pump in the upstroke configuration. 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the double action hand pump in the downstroke configuration. 
         FIG. 10B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the double action hand pump in the upstroke configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pressurized tank sprayer  10  includes a tank  14 , cap  22 , measuring cup  26 , and double action pump  30 . The tank  14  includes a container  34  and a base  38 . The container  34  and base  38  may be distinct elements or the tank  14  may be constructed in one integral unit. The container  34  forms the portion of the tank  14  that holds the solution to be sprayed. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container  34  has a generally substantially cylindrical shape which may also take the form of a slightly ellipsoidal shape to prevent the container  34  from becoming bowed or distorted when subject to air pressure. The container  34  is formed from a durable material that can withstand air pressure stress; including, polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon. Embodiments of the container  34  formed from a generally opaque material may have measuring indicia on the interior surface of the container  34  visible from the opening  36  in the top of the container  34 . Embodiments of the container  34  formed from a generally translucent material may include measuring indicia on the exterior of the container  34 . The volume of the container  34  may vary depending on the embodiment and purpose of the sprayer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the top portion of the container  34  includes a cylindrical rim  16  with an opening  36 . The cylindrical rim  16  may extend upward from the container  34  and included a threaded exterior surface, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, the cylindrical rim  16  may extend into the container  34  and include a threaded interior surface. The cylindrical rim  16  mates with an opposing threaded portion  24  of the cap  22 , illustrated in  FIG. 5A . The opening  36  in the cylindrical rim  16  may have a diameter large enough for a user to insert his or her adult hand into the container  34 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the container  34  includes a spray port  42  that accepts a spray wand outlet  46 . The spray wand outlet  46  may be secured to the spray port  42  with any suitable airtight and watertight sealing method, including a threaded engagement, epoxy, or an adhesive. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  the spray port  42  includes an opening in fluid communication with the container  34 . With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the container  34  may contain an outlet  46  integral with the container  34  sidewalls. The outlet  46  includes a hose connection portion and a tube connection portion. The hose connection portion is on the exterior of the tank  14  and mates with the spray wand hose (not illustrated), of a typical spray wand as known in the art. The tube connection portion is on the interior of the tank  14  and mates with a pick-up tube within the container  34  that extends from the outlet  46  to the bottom of the container  34 . 
     The container  34  also includes an air pressure relief port  98  that accepts an air pressure relief valve  102 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The air pressure relief port  98  is typically positioned on the container  34  above the maximum solution level. The air pressure relief valve  102  may be secured to the air pressure relief port  98  with any suitable airtight and watertight sealing method, including a threaded engagement, epoxy, or an adhesive. The air pressure relief valve  102  expels air when the air pressure in the container  34  exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the air pressure in the container  34  returns to a level below the threshold level the air pressure relief valve  102  automatically closes. 
     The base  38  portion of the tank  14  includes footholds  54 ,  55  situated between footstands  50 ,  51  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The base  38  can be made from the same material as the container  34 ; including, polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon. If the base  38  and the container  34  are made from different materials, the base  38  should be securely fastened to the bottom of the container  34 . Ideally, a user should be able to apply a strong upward force to the pump  30  without separating the base  38  from the container  34 . 
     The base  38  includes two footstands  50 ,  51  that project laterally from opposite sides of the container  34 , and provide first and second lateral foot contact portions, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . The footstands  50 ,  51  have a convex periphery  57 . In one embodiment, the shape of the convex footstands  50 ,  51  may approximately match the arch portion of a person&#39;s foot. The upper surface of each footstand  50 ,  51  is suitable for a user to stand upon while stroking the pump  30 . In one embodiment, the upper surface of the footstands  50 ,  51  includes a notched or ridged surface to grip the user&#39;s feet. The footstand  50 ,  51  may include an inclined upper surface, with the highest portion of each foothold  50 ,  51  proximate the container  34  and the lowest portion of each foothold  50 ,  51  proximate the convex periphery  57  of each foothold  50 ,  51 . In another embodiment, the diameter of the container  34  proximate the footholds  50 ,  51  gradually decreases. The gradually decreasing container  34  diameter combined with the inclined upper surface of the foothold  50 ,  51 , forms a concave region  52  that surrounds the inner portion of a user&#39;s shoe; thereby, enabling the user to stabilize the pressure sprayer while stroking the pump  30 . The side surfaces of the footstands  50 ,  51  have a concave periphery  53  that smoothly transitions into the convex periphery  57  at a rounded corner  56 . Finally, the bottom of each footstand  50 ,  51  includes a surface that engages the ground to support the tank sprayer  10 . 
     The two footholds  54 ,  55  are positioned between the footstands  50 ,  51  on the base  38 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The footholds  54 ,  55  are provided as recessed areas in the bottom portion of the container  34 . Specifically, distance A defines the length and distance B defines the width of the footholds  54 ,  55 . In at least one embodiment, distance A is about three to twelve inches, and distance B is about one to six inches. Preferably, distance A is about four to six inches, and distance B is about two to three inches. The height of the footholds  54 ,  55  is defined by the height of the footstands  50 ,  51  as represented by distance C in  FIG. 4 . In at least one embodiment, distance C is about one-half to four inches. Preferably, distance C is about one to two inches. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the footholds  54 ,  55  are not configured to be stood upon; instead, the footholds  54 ,  55  are recesses bordered by a concave sidewall  53 . The concave sidewalls  53  of the footholds  54 ,  55  are configured to engage the sides of user&#39;s shoes, and provide rotational stability to the container  34  while the user rotates the cap  22  or the pump  30 . To provide a sufficient shoe contact surface, the footholds  54 ,  55  include an area large enough to accept the inside forefoot portion of a man&#39;s foot or shoe. The height of the sidewalls  53  of the footholds  54 ,  55  may be greater than the height of the sole portion of a man&#39;s shoe in order to provide a large area of engagement with the man&#39;s shoe and prevent the footstands  50 ,  51  from sliding under or over the user&#39;s shoes while the user attempts to rotate the cap  22  or pump  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  the cap  22  is threadedly connected to the top portion of the container  34  to cover the opening  36  in the container. The cap  22  includes first and second handles  58 ,  59  with a funnel  62  positioned between the handles  58 ,  59 . The cap  22  is made from a rigid material, preferably plastic. The handles  58 ,  59  and funnel  62  can be an integral unit, or each element can be individually formed and secured together. A sealing member  204  ensures that the cap  22  makes an airtight and watertight junction with the container  34 , even when the container  34  is subject to air pressure, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Viable sealing members  204  include rubber or synthetic gaskets and o-rings. 
     The exterior periphery of the cap  22  includes a spray wand holder  66 , nozzle openings  68 , and strap connections  72 . The spray wand holder  66  supports the spray wand when the wand is not in use. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 A, and  5 C, the spray wand holder  66  is a circular opening in a projection extending from the cap  22 . Alternatively, the spray wand holder  66  can include a circular hole with a notch  70  slightly wider than the diameter of the rigid rod portion of the spray wand. The spray wand holder  66  can be formed at any portion along the periphery of the cap  22 , including in the handles  58 ,  59 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  5 A, and  5 C, the nozzle openings  68  provide a storage area for spray wand nozzles. As illustrated, the nozzle openings  68  extend through the periphery of the cap  22 ; however in another embodiment the nozzle openings  68  are depressions in the cap  22  having a bottom surface that prevents a nozzle from falling through the opening  68 . The nozzle openings  68  have a conical interior surface that becomes narrower toward the bottom of the opening  68 . The interior surface grips the exterior of the nozzle to prevent the nozzle from becoming inadvertently jarred from the opening  68 . Furthermore, a portion of the nozzle remains above the surface of the cap  22  when the nozzle is inserted into the opening  68 . The portion of the nozzle remaining above the cap  22  can be grasped by the user when the user desires to remove the nozzle from the nozzle opening  68 . 
     The strap connections  72  provide a coupling point for the attachment members of a carrying strap. As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 A, and  5 C, the strap connections  72  are laterally displaced upon the cap  22  to provide the user with a balanced lifting point. Each connection  72  includes an opening that extends therethrough. The opening is sized to couple with the attachment member of a carrying strap (not illustrated). The connections  72  are sufficiently rigid to permit a user to lift and carry the tank sprayer  10  without bending or deforming the connections  72 . 
     Also, on the exterior periphery of the cap  22  are the two laterally displaced handles  58 ,  59 . A first handle  58  extends outwardly from a first side of the cap  22 , and a second handle  59  extends outwardly from a second side of the cap  22  opposite the first side. The left and right handles  58 ,  59  assist the user in securing and removing the cap  22  from the container  34 . The handles  58 ,  59  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  include extension portions  116  and a horizontal connection portion  74 ; however, any handle  58 ,  59  that permits a user to apply a rotational force to the cap  22  may be utilized. For example, in one embodiment, the handles  58 ,  59  may include a curvature either toward or away from the base of the container  34 . Depending on the shape of the container  34  the curvature may simplify grasping the handles  58 ,  59 . In another embodiment, the handles  58 ,  59  extend outward in a substantially lateral direction relative to the funnel  62  such that a user&#39;s hands are positioned substantially to the sides of the funnel  62  when the tank  14  is in an upright position and the user&#39;s hands grasp the handles  58 ,  59 . In still another embodiment, the handles  58 ,  59  may exhibit vertical connection portions  74 . Handles  58 ,  59  exhibiting a vertical connection portion  74  could have substantially the same shape as the illustrated handles  58 ,  59  exhibiting a horizontal connection portion  74 ; however, each vertical connection portion  74  may include a single extension portion  116 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the handles  58 ,  59  include an irregular gripping surface  74 . The gripping surface  76  reduces the likelihood that the user&#39;s gloves will slide along the surface of the handles  58 ,  59  as the user attempts to rotate the cap  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the gripping surface  76  may simply include a series of ridges in the upper and/or lower portions of the horizontal connection portions  74  grasped by the user. In another embodiment, the handles  58 ,  59  may include a rubberized coating instead of the series of ridges. Like the series of ridges, the rubberized coating surrounds the horizontal connection portions  74 . 
     The central portion of the cap  22  includes a funnel  62  and a drain  60  leading to the container  34 , as best illustrated  FIGS. 5A to 5C . The funnel  62  can be formed integrally with the cap  22 , or the funnel  62  can be a distinct unit attached to the cap  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5C , the drain  60  is provided as a threaded opening which provides a passage to the opening  36  in the container  34 . The drain  60  is too small for a user to insert his or her adult hand. The substantially conical surface of the funnel  22  gradually becomes larger as the funnel  62  extends away from the drain  60 . The top edge of the funnel  62  is terminated with a ridge  78 . The depth of the funnel  62  depends on the embodiment, but in general the funnel  62  extends from the drain  60  to the top of the cap  22 . In another embodiment, the top of the funnel  62  includes a cylindrical rim that extends above the cap  22  to provide the user with an even larger pouring surface. In the disclosed embodiment, the conical surface of the funnel  62  is generally smooth, without cavities or irregularities in which the funneled solution may become isolated. 
     A measuring vessel  26 , provided in the form of a measuring cup  26 , is connected to the exterior periphery of the cap  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The measuring cup  26  is made of a rigid and sturdy material such as plastic or metal, and is suitable to measure liquid, powdered, solid, or gelled solutions. In one embodiment, the measuring cup  26  includes multiple chambers  96  of a specified quantity. For instance, the measuring cup  26  may contain chambers  96  sized to hold a tablespoon, a liquid ounce, and twenty five milliliters. Furthermore, each chamber  96  may include additional indicia that further divide the chambers  96  into smaller quantities. In another embodiment, the measuring cup  26  simply includes one large chamber  96  with indicia marked on the inner surface. In either embodiment, the measuring cup  26  can be made from a translucent material and the measuring indicia can be formed into the outer surface of the chamber  96  or chambers  96 . The indicia indicate measured quantities in both Metric and United States Customary Units. 
     The measuring cup  26  includes arms  82  with tabs  86  that secure the first and second side of the measuring cup  26  to a pair of brackets  90 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The brackets  90  can be attached to, or integral with, the cap  22  or the handles  58 ,  59 . In general, the measuring cup  26  is pivotably attached to the brackets  90 ; however, the measuring cup  26  can be removed and reattached by bending the resilient arms  82 , thereby pulling the tabs  86  out of the brackets  90 . When attached to the cap  22 , the measuring cup  26  pivots about the tabs  86  from an upright “fill” position to a tilted “pour” position. The bottom portion of the measuring cup  26  includes a post  92  that rests against the periphery of the cap  22  or the container  34  to maintain the measuring cup  26  in a level orientation while the measuring cup  26  is in the fill position. When the measuring cup  26  is pivoted, the contents of each chamber  96  are directed out of the measuring cup  26  and onto the conical surface of the funnel  62 , which is in fluid communication with the container  34  via the drain  60 . The measuring cup  26  includes a spout  94  into which the chambers  96  divert their contents when the measuring cup  26  becomes pivoted to the pour position. The spout  94  ensures the contents of the measuring chambers  96  are accurately directed onto the conical surface of the funnel  62 . 
     The upper periphery of the measuring cup  26  may include a ridge  80 , as most clearly illustrated in  FIG. 5A . The ridge  80  extends from the body of the measuring cup  26  and can be used as a handle to pivot the measuring cup  26 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the ridge  80  may include measuring indicia corresponding to the capacity of the chambers  96 . 
     As previously mentioned, the spout  94  directs the contents of the chambers  96  on to the surface of the funnel  62 . Additionally, the spout  94  serves as an interlock device, as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In particular, the pump housing  106  prevents the measuring cup  26  from pivoting to the pour position when the pump housing  106  is positioned in the drain  60  of the cap  22 . Motion is prevented because the spout  94  abuts the housing  106  of the pump  30  when the pump  30  is connected to the drain  60  in the cap  22 . The housing  106  prevents the measuring cup  26  from pivoting, because in order to pivot the spout  94  must move toward the center of the drain  60 ; however, with the pump housing  106  in the path of movement, the spout  94  cannot move toward the drain  60 . Of course, with the pump  30  removed from the drain  60 , the path of movement of the measuring cup  26  is unobstructed, permitting the measuring cup  26  to pivot to the tilted “pour” position. 
     The double action pump  30  includes an outer housing  106 , a pump mechanism, and a handle  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The housing  106  is made of a rigid material, usually plastic or metal. In one embodiment, the housing  106  has a cylindrical shape, with a diameter that abuts the spout  94  of the measuring cup  26  when the measuring cup  26  is in the fill position. In another embodiment, the housing  106  includes a spout receptor that engages the spout  94  once the housing  106  has been completely threaded into the drain  60  in the cap  22 . The spout receptor can be a spout  94  shaped indentation in the housing  106  that receives the spout  94  when the pump  30  is securely fastened to the cap  22 . In each embodiment, the housing  106  prevents the measuring cup  26  from pivoting when the pump  30  is attached to the cap  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the housing  106  surrounds the pump mechanism and includes a threaded bottom portion  118  to secure the pump  30  to the threaded drain  60  in the cap  22 . An o-ring  114  prevents the pressure developed in the container  34  from escaping through the junction between the drain  60  and the outer housing  106 . The outer housing  106 , pump mechanism, and of course the handle  110  remain outside of the container  34  when the pump  30  is connected to the cap  22 . The length of the pump  30  combined with the height of the tank  14  enable a user to stroke the pump  30  without having to bend over excessively far on the downstroke, as compared to pressure sprayers that utilize a pump  30  submerged within the container  34 . 
     The pump handle  110  is threadedly connected to the top of the pump cylinder  138 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The handle  110  includes a horizontal contact bar  112  that a user may grasp while stroking the pump  30 . In one embodiment, the length of the contact bar  112  is slightly greater than the width of a man&#39;s hand, to permit a user to grasp the handle  110  and stroke pump  30  with a single hand. However, in another embodiment, the length of the contact bar  112  permits a man wearing work gloves to place his two hands side-by-side upon the contact bar  112  while stroking the pump. Additionally, the contact bar  112  includes a series of ridges that provide a gripping surface, and also make the handle  110  easier to hold, should the handle  110  become wet. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the handle  110  can be secured to the outer housing  106  enabling a user to carry the tank sprayer  10  by the pump handle  110 . The base of the handle  110  includes a tab  122  used to secure the handle  110  to the outer housing  106 . The tab  122  engages a slot  126  in the outer housing  106  when the handle  110  is fully depressed and rotated. In one embodiment, a pump cushioning spring  130  must also be depressed in order to slide the tab  122  into the slot  126 . The resistive force from the pump cushioning spring  130  presses the tab  122  against the top portion of the slot  126  ensuring the handle  110  remains in the locked position until the user desires to disengage the tab  122  from the slot  126  by rotating the handle  110 . 
     The pump mechanism injects air into the container  34  for compression. The pump mechanism includes a central connecting rod  134 , a pump cylinder  138 , a primary piston  142 , a secondary piston  146 , first and second check valves  150 ,  154 , and a plurality of sealing members and gaskets, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The interrelationship of each pump mechanism component is explained below. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the central connecting rod  134  is a hollow tube that includes a bottom end in fluid communication with the container  34 . The connecting rod  134  includes a top portion threadedly connected to the primary piston  142 , and a bottom portion threadedly connected to the outer housing  106 . O-ring  200  forms an air tight seal between the connecting rod  134  and the outer housing  106 . O-ring  194  forms an air tight seal between primary piston  142  and the connecting rod  134 . As explained within, the pump cylinder  138  forces air through the connecting rod  134  and into the container  34  for compression. 
     The pump cylinder  138  is a hollow tube that surrounds the central connecting rod  134 . The pump cylinder  138  is made from a rigid material, usually plastic. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pump cylinder  138  includes a top portion threadedly connected to the base of the handle  110 , and, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a bottom portion threadedly connected to the secondary piston  146 . An o-ring  190  ensures that the pump cylinder  138  makes an air tight junction with the secondary piston  146 . 
     The primary piston  142  and the second check valve  154  are threadedly engaged to the top of the connecting rod  134 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The primary piston  134  has an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the pump cylinder  138 . The primary piston  134  includes a groove  182 , which houses a “floating” o-ring  186 . The diameter of a cross section of the o-ring  186  is slightly smaller than the height of the groove  182 , such that the o-ring  186  is vertically displaceable within the groove  182 . As the pump  30  is stroked, the o-ring  186  moves to the top of the groove  182  on the upstroke, as illustrated by  FIG. 10B , and moves to the bottom of the groove  182  on the downstroke, as illustrated by  FIG. 10A . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the secondary piston  146  is a circular ring threadedly engaged to the bottom of the pump cylinder  138 . As the handle  110  is stroked, the pump cylinder  138  and the secondary piston  146  slide along the outer surface of the connecting rod  134 . The secondary piston  146  includes a groove  174  which houses a “floating” o-ring  178 . The diameter of a cross section of the o-ring  178  is slightly smaller than the height of the groove  174 , such that the o-ring  178  is vertically displaceable within the groove  174 . The o-ring  178  inside diameter is equal to the outside diameter of connecting rod  134 . As the pump  30  is stroked, the o-ring  178  slides up and down the outer surface of the connecting rod  134 , moving to the top of the groove  174  on the downstroke, as illustrated by  FIG. 9A , and moving to the bottom of the groove  174  on the upstroke, as illustrated by  FIG. 9B . 
     Check valves  150 ,  154  include bases  152 ,  156  with openings  158 ,  162  and elastomeric diaphragms  166 ,  170 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Each check valves  150 ,  154  selectively seals a cavity of varying size formed by the motion of the pump cylinder  138 . When the air pressure above the check valves  150 ,  154  exceeds the air pressure below the check valve  150 ,  154  the edges of the diaphragm  166 ,  170  flex away from the base  152 ,  156  permitting air to travel to the area of lower pressure through the openings  158 ,  162 . When the air pressure below the check valves  150 ,  154  exceeds the air pressure above the check valves  150 ,  154 , the air pressure forces the edges of the diaphragm  166 ,  170  against the base  152 ,  156  thereby sealing the openings  158 ,  162 . 
     When a user initiates an upstroke, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9B and 10B , by forcing the handle  110  and the pump cylinder  138  upward, the second check valve  154  opens allowing outside air to flow along direction A into the cavity defined at the top by the second check valve  154  and at the bottom by the primary piston  142 . Air continues to flow through the second check valve  154  into the aforementioned cavity throughout the entire upstroke motion. Additionally, the upstroke draws o-ring  186  against the top side of the groove  182  in the primary piston  142 , and o-ring  178  against the bottom side of the groove  174  in the secondary piston  146 . As the upward motion of the pump cylinder  138  causes the cavity between the pump cylinder  138  and the connecting rod  134  to become smaller, the air within the cavity is forced into groove  182  along directions P and B. After passing through the groove  182  the air flows along direction C, into the openings  158  in the first check valve  150 . Finally, the air flows into the connecting rod  134 , and ultimately into the container  34  for compression. 
     Alternatively, when a user initiates a downstroke, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 10A , by forcing the handle  110  and the pump cylinder  138  downward, the air trapped above the primary piston  142  forces the second check valve  154  closed, and o-ring  186  to the bottom of the groove  182  in the primary piston  142 . As the downward motion of the pump cylinder  138  causes the cavity above the primary piston  142  to become smaller, the air within the cavity is forced into groove  182  along direction G. Throughout the downstroke the air continues to flow, along direction H, through the openings  158  in the first check valve  150 , into the connecting rod  134 , and ultimately into the container  34 . 
     Also during the downstroke, the downward motion of the pump cylinder  138  forces o-ring  178  to the top of the groove  174  in the secondary piston  146 , permitting air to enter the cavity between the pump cylinder  138  and the connecting rod  134 , in the following manner. First, the downward motion develops a vacuum between the pump housing  106  and the pump cylinder  138  that draws in outside air along directions I and J. Next, the air is drawn around the pump cushioning spring  130  along direction L. Finally, the vacuum draws air between the secondary piston  146  and the connecting rod  134 , and through groove  174 , along direction M. In summary, the pump  30  includes two air chambers; during each pump  30  stroke one of the chambers is filled with outside air, while the air in the other chamber is evacuated into container  34 . Thereby, enabling the pump to deliver air to the container  34  during each pump  30  stroke. 
     After a series of pump  30  strokes, the user will have pumped a substantial volume of air into the container  34 . The air pressure generated by the increased volume of air forces the diaphragm  166  of the first check valve  150  to seat against the base  152 , thereby indefinitely maintaining the volume of air within the container  34 . When the user activates the valve on the spray wand the increased air pressure propels the solution from the container  34 . 
     To reduce the probability of the pump  30  becoming damaged due to vigorous downward stroking, the pump  30  includes a cushioning spring  130 . The bottom surface of the cushioning spring  130  contacts the bottom of the pump housing  106 , and the top of the spring  130  contacts the bottom portion of the secondary piston  146 . The spring  130  cushions the secondary piston  146  should the piston  146  become forcefully directed toward the bottom of the pump  30 . Additionally, the cushioning spring  130  provides tension upon the handle  110  when the handle  110  is in the locked position. 
     In operation, a user first obtains and utilizes appropriate safety attire, which may include safety glasses, gloves, apron, and face mask. Next, the user places his or her shoes in the footholds  54 ,  55 , grasps the pump handle  110 , and slowly rotates the handle  110  until the pump  30  can be removed from the cap  22 . Then, with shoes remaining in the footholds  54 ,  55 , the user grasps the cap handles  58 ,  59  and rotates the cap  22  until it can be removed from the container  34 . Alternatively, the user may stand upon the footstands  50 ,  51  when removing the cap  22  from the container  34 . With the cap  22  removed, the user can clean the inside of the container  34  or fill the container  34  with an appropriate amount of water or other solvent. Next, the user tightly secures the cap  22  to the container  34 , using the footholds  54 ,  55  to stabilize the container  34 . If the user desires to add a solute to the solvent, the user can measure an appropriate quantity of solute in the measuring cup  26 . When the appropriate amount of solute has been measured, the user pivots the measuring cup  26  to the tilted “pour” position to direct the solute onto the surface of the funnel  62  through the drain  60  in the cap  22  and into the container  34 . Next, the user attaches the pump  30  to the threaded drain  60 . Finally, the user stands upon the footstands  50 ,  51  and repeatedly strokes the pump  30  until a sufficient air pressure has been developed in the container  34 . Likewise, the user may stabilize the tank  14  with the footholds  54 ,  55  while stroking the pump  30 . Finally, the user may the trigger the spray wand to distribute the product, following any and all directions provided by the manufacturer of the solvent or solute. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications can be made to the specific implementations described above. Therefore, the following claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described above. The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants, patentees, and others.

Technology Category: 7