Patent Application
20230347362
This disclosure generally relate to the field of cleaning devices and, more particularly, to the field of foam sprayers operable to mix air with a fluid to create a foam to be sprayed.
Typically, foam sprayers include a reservoir containing a liquid to be sprayed. Pressure is increased within the reservoir to push the liquid out of the foam sprayer via a nozzle. In those devices, the pressure inside the reservoir is increased via a manual pump. Typically, the pressure decreases as the user sprays the foam. This decrease in pressure renders inconsistent a consistency of the foam. Such devices are cumbersome because the user needs to constantly manually pump air into the reservoir to continue using the device. Improvements are sought.
In one aspect, there is provided a sprayer comprising: a reservoir for containing a liquid to be sprayed; a compressor fluidly connected to the reservoir; a pressure sensor operatively connected to one or more of the compressor and the reservoir; and a controller operatively connected to the compressor and the pressure sensor, the controller comprising a processing unit and a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon executable by the processing unit for: receiving a signal from the pressure sensor, the signal indicative of a pressure inside the reservoir; comparing the pressure inside the reservoir to a first threshold; and when the pressure inside the reservoir is below the first threshold, actuating the compressor for pressurizing the reservoir until the pressure inside the reservoir reaches the first threshold.
The sprayer may include any of the following features, in any combinations,
In some embodiments, the instructions are executable for: determining that the liquid is being sprayed; comparing the pressure inside the reservoir to a second threshold lower than the first threshold; and when the pressure inside the reservoir is below the second threshold, actuating the compressor for re-pressurizing the reservoir until the pressure inside the reservoir is above the second threshold and corresponds to at most the first threshold.
In some embodiments, the instructions are executable for actuating of the compressor for re-pressurizing the reservoir comprising actuating the compressor until the pressure inside the reservoir reaches the first threshold.
In some embodiments, a trigger is engaged to a valve selectively opening and closing a reservoir outlet of the reservoir, the trigger having a first configuration in which fluid communication between the reservoir and an environment outside the reservoir is blocked by the valve and a second configuration in which the reservoir is open to the environment for outputting the liquid, wherein the instructions are executable for determining that the liquid is being sprayed comprising determining that the trigger is in the second configuration.
In some embodiments, the instructions are executable for determining that the liquid is being sprayed comprising determining that the pressure inside the reservoir is decreasing.
In some embodiments, a connector has a connector inlet fluidly connected to an outlet of a pump of the compressor, a first connector outlet fluidly connected to the pressure sensor, and a second connector outlet fluidly connected to the reservoir.
In some embodiments, the sprayer has: a conduit having a first end for outputting the liquid and a second end configured to be submerged in the liquid; and a mixer at the first end of the conduit, the mixer having a first mixer inlet fluidly connected to the first end of the conduit, a second mixer inlet in fluid flow communication with a volume of air inside the reservoir, and a mixer outlet for outputting a mixture of the air and the liquid from the reservoir.
In some embodiments, the sprayer has a battery operatively connected to the compressor.
In some embodiments, the sprayer has a control panel having: a button operable to switch the sprayer between an off configuration and an on configuration; and an indicator configured for outputting a first indication of the compressor being operational and for outputting a second indication when the pressure inside the reservoir reaches the first threshold.
In some embodiments, the compressor includes a piston pump.
In some embodiments, the reservoir is removably engageable to a body of the sprayer.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of operating a sprayer having a reservoir for containing a liquid to be sprayed and a compressor for pressurizing the reservoir, the method comprising: receiving a signal from a pressure sensor operatively connected to one or more of the reservoir and the compressor, the signal indicative of a pressure inside the reservoir; comparing the pressure inside the reservoir to a first threshold; and when the pressure inside the reservoir is below the first threshold, actuating the compressor for pressurizing the reservoir until the pressure inside the reservoir reaches the first threshold.
The method may include any of the following features, in any combinations:
In some embodiments, the method includes: determining that the sprayer is being used for spraying the liquid contained in the reservoir; comparing the pressure inside the reservoir to a second threshold lower than the first threshold; and when the pressure inside the reservoir is below the second threshold, actuating the compressor for re-pressurizing the reservoir until the pressure inside the reservoir is above the second threshold and corresponds to at most the first threshold.
In some embodiments, the actuating of the compressor for re-pressurizing the reservoir includes actuating the compressor until the pressure reaches inside the reservoir the first threshold.
In some embodiments, the sprayer comprises a trigger engaged to a valve selectively opening and closing a reservoir outlet of the reservoir, the trigger having a first configuration in which fluid communication between the reservoir and an environment outside the reservoir is blocked by the valve and a second configuration in which the reservoir is open to the environment for outputting the liquid, further wherein the determining that the sprayer is being used includes determining that the trigger is in the second configuration.
In some embodiments, the determining that the sprayer is being used includes determining that the pressure inside the reservoir is decreasing.
In some embodiments, the method includes: outputting a first indication of the compressor being operational; and outputting a second indication when the pressure inside the reservoir reaches the first threshold.
Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure.
Referring to
The foam sprayer 10 includes a nozzle 30 secured to the outer shell 11 and that is used for outputting a foam. In the embodiment shown, the nozzle 30 includes a tip 31 designed for outputting a foam at a 15° angle. Replacement tips 32, 33 may be removably secured to the shell 11 and may be substituted for the tip 31 that is currently secured at the outlet of the foam sprayer 10. These replacement tips 32, 33 may respectively be designed to output a foam at 25° and 40°. Other angles may be used. As shown in
The foam sprayer 10 includes a controller 100 that is used for controlling operation of the foam sprayer 10. As will be discussed below, the controller 100 is operable for receiving signal(s) indicative of a pressure inside the reservoir 12 and for actuating a pump for increasing said pressure. The controller 100 is operatively connected to the control panel 20. More detail about the controller 100 is presented below with reference to
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In the present embodiment, the porous material 31B is contained within a sleeve 31G received within a conduit defined by the outer shell 11. The sleeve 31G has a portion 31H sandwiched between the tip 31 and a retaining ring 311. The retaining ring 311 is in abutment against the flange 31F, which is itself sandwiched between the retaining ring 311 and the flange shoulder 31E.
Referring now to
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In the depicted embodiment, the trigger 14 has a first configuration in which fluid communication between the reservoir 12 and an environment outside the reservoir 12 is blocked by the valve 50 and a second configuration in which the reservoir 12 is open to the environment for outputting the liquid. The determining that the sprayer 10 is being used (step 908) may include determining that the trigger 14 is in the second configuration. In some other embodiments, the determining that the sprayer 10 is being used (step 908) may include determining that the pressure inside the reservoir 12 is decreasing. This may be achieved by receiving a signal from the sensor 22, the signal being indicative of a decreasing pressure inside the reservoir 12. In other embodiments, a sensor (not shown) may be operatively connected to the trigger 14 to signal to the controller 100 that the foam is being sprayed.
In the present embodiment, the sprayer 10 may be configured for outputting a first indication of the compressor 40 being operational, and for outputting a second indication when the pressure inside the reservoir 12 reaches the first threshold. In the present case, this may be achieved via the indicator 20B that may emit a solid light when the pressure is at the first threshold and a blinking light when the compressor 40 is operational. In some other embodiments, a haptic and/or audible signal may be emitted by the sprayer 10 to notify the user of the compressor 40 being operational. Any other suitable means of providing an indication to the user may apply.
Referring now to
In use, the controller 100 is configured for receiving a signal from the sensor 22, the signal indicative of a pressure inside the reservoir 12 or at the outlet of the pump 42 and for actuating the pump 42 with the motor 41 for increasing the pressure inside the reservoir 12 with the pump 42 until the pressure reaches a first threshold. In the embodiment shown, the controller 100 may be further configured for monitoring the pressure inside the reservoir 12; determining that the pressure is below a second threshold lower than the first threshold; and actuating the pump 42 with the motor 41 for increasing the pressure until the pressure is above the second threshold. The increasing of the pressure may be done until the pressure reaches the first threshold. The first threshold may be between 35 and 55 PSI, preferably about 45 PSI. When the pump 42 is actuated, the indicator 20B may be powered on. The second threshold may range from 10 to 30 PSI. The second threshold is preferably about 30 PSI. The expression “about” includes variations of plus or minus 10% in the context of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the controller 100 may be further configured for determining that the trigger 14 is actuated. The monitoring of the pressure inside the reservoir 12 may occur when the trigger 14 is actuated. In some other embodiments, the controller 100 may monitor the pressure inside the reservoir 12 with the sensor 22 as soon as the foam sprayer 10 is turned on with the on-off button 20A. In some embodiments, the controller 100 may receive a signal indicative of the trigger 14 being engaged by the user. The compressor 40 may be actuated based on a time function. In other words, the controller 100 may actuate the compressor 40 when it determines that the trigger 14 has been engaged for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 1 minute).
The disclosed foam sprayer 10 may remove the need to manually pump a reservoir filled with soap/detergent to generate pressure and release quality foam. It may be a completely portable foaming solution. The sprayer 10 may be easy to operate, does not require a manual pump, may provide a consistent pressure output, may use universal battery, and may produce a quality foam. The interchangeable tips 31, 32, 33 may give the user a variety of spray pattern (e.g., narrow, wide, etc). The sprayer 10 may cost less than an attachment for a pressure washer and may achieve similar results.
With reference to
The computing device 500 comprises a processing unit 502 and a memory 504 which has stored therein computer-executable instructions 506. The processing unit 502 may comprise any suitable devices configured to implement the method of pressurizing the reservoir 12 such that instructions 506, when executed by the computing device 500 or other programmable apparatus, may cause the functions/acts/steps performed as part of the method of pressurizing the reservoir 12 as described herein to be executed. The processing unit 502 may comprise, for example, any type of general-purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, a digital signal processing (DSP) processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a reconfigurable processor, other suitably programmed or programmable logic circuits, or any combination thereof.
The memory 504 may comprise any suitable known or other machine-readable storage medium. The memory 504 may comprise non-transitory computer readable storage medium, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The memory 504 may include a suitable combination of any type of computer memory that is located either internally or externally to device, for example random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), electro-optical memory, magneto-optical memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) or the like. Memory 504 may comprise any storage means (e.g., devices) suitable for retrievably storing machine-readable instructions 506 executable by processing unit 502.
The methods and systems of pressurizing the reservoir 12 described herein may be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming or scripting language, or a combination thereof, to communicate with or assist in the operation of a computer system, for example the computing device 500. Alternatively, the methods and systems of pressurizing the reservoir 12 may be implemented in assembly or machine language. The language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Program code for implementing the methods and systems of pressurizing the reservoir 12 may be stored on a storage media or a device, for example a ROM, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a flash drive, or any other suitable storage media or device. The program code may be readable by a general or special-purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage media or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described herein. Embodiments of the methods and systems of pressurizing the reservoir 12 may also be considered to be implemented by way of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. The computer program may comprise computer-readable instructions which cause a computer, or more specifically the processing unit 502 of the computing device 500, to operate in a specific and predefined manner to perform the functions described herein, for example those described in the method 400.
Computer-executable instructions may be in many forms, including program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.
The embodiments described herein may be implemented by physical computer hardware, including computing devices, servers, receivers, transmitters, processors, memory, displays, and networks. The embodiments described herein provide useful physical machines and particularly configured computer hardware arrangements. The embodiments described herein are directed to electronic machines and methods implemented by electronic machines adapted for processing and transforming electromagnetic signals which represent various types of information. The embodiments described herein pervasively and integrally relate to machines, and their uses; and the embodiments described herein have no meaning or practical applicability outside their use with computer hardware, machines, and various hardware components. Substituting the physical hardware particularly configured to implement various acts for non-physical hardware, using mental steps for example, may substantially affect the way the embodiments work. Such computer hardware limitations are clearly essential elements of the embodiments described herein, and they cannot be omitted or substituted for mental means without having a material effect on the operation and structure of the embodiments described herein. The computer hardware is essential to implement the various embodiments described herein and is not merely used to perform steps expeditiously and in an efficient manner.
The term “connected” or “coupled to” may include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements).
The technical solution of embodiments may be in the form of a software product. The software product may be stored in a non-volatile or non-transitory storage medium, which can be a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB flash disk, or a removable hard disk. The software product includes a number of instructions that enable a computer device (personal computer, server, or network device) to execute the methods provided by the embodiments.
As can be seen therefore, the examples described above and illustrated are intended to be exemplary only. The scope is indicated by the appended claims.
