Spray pump apparatus

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6595392
  • Patent Number
    6,595,392
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, December 4, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 22, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A spray pump apparatus typically employed in gardening and commercial applications wherein a charged liquid is sprayed in a garden environment or on a floor surface for removing spills, grease or stains. In its most fundamental embodiments the spray pump apparatus for use in spraying: fluids includes an outer housing and a pump assembly in mechanical communication with the outer housing for developing a pressure therein. An integral bladder assembly is mounted within the outer housing and comprises an integrally formed combination of a flexible bladder, a hose and a nozzle. The flexible bladder is subjected to the pressure developed by the pump assembly for expelling a fluid contained within the flexible bladder, wherein the integral bladder assembly is installed in and removed from the outer housing as the integrally formed combination.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Technical Field




The present invention relates to spraying devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for a spray pump device typically used in garden and commercial applications and having an outer housing that incorporates a hand operated pump assembly and a removable integral bladder assembly wherein a first integral bladder assembly for use in spraying a first fluid can be subsequently replaced with a second identical integral bladder assembly for use in spraying a second fluid.




2. Background Art




The prior art is directed to methods and apparatus for spraying devices typically used for garden and commercial applications.




Small tank spray devices are utilized to dispense a wide variety of fluids ranging from, for example, plant food, fertilizers, insecticides and weed killers in garden applications to chemical cleaners and solvents in commercial applications. Spraying devices known in the art typically include separate components such as tank container having a fill port for introducing the liquid to be sprayed, a hose and a nozzle for directing the sprayed liquid, and a hand operated pump mechanism to create air pressure within the tank. The air pressure is applied over the liquid within the tank for driving the liquid through the hose and expelling it from the nozzle.




In the prior art, small tank sprayers must be maintained in a near vertical orientation to operate properly. This is the case since the liquid to be sprayed must be positioned over, i.e., cover, the output port to which the hose is connected in order for the liquid to be expelled and also to prevent the pressurized air within the tank from escaping.




This requirement limits the use of prior art spraying devices.




Further, once the spraying activity has been completed, the unused liquid must be emptied from the tank and thereafter stored or disposed of. Additionally, the interior surfaces of the tank, hose and nozzle must be flushed with an appropriate medium. The effort required to accomplish this task is dependent upon the composition of the liquid previously used in the tank and the composition of liquids to be subsequently used in the tank, i.e., the next application.




Typically, the tank can be comprised of metal or plastic. Notwithstanding, the material used to fashion the tank must be corrosion resistant to avoid rusting since the liquid to be sprayed comes in direct contact with the inner surface of the tank. If the tank is permitted to corrode, the chemical composition of the liquid to be sprayed could be altered and the use of the liquid may be counter-productive. For example, in gardening applications, if the a pesticide or weed killer is previously used in the tank, residual traces of the previously used chemical might be applied to plants and flowers in a subsequent use of the spraying device. This situation would be detrimental to the plants and flowers and could occur even if the tank, hose and nozzle are flushed after the previous use.




Another consideration is the method of disposal of the fluids used in the spraying device. In prior art spraying devices, typically the contents of the tank must be totally used or subsequently disposed of in a separate container employed for storage. Even in spray pump designs known in the prior art that employ a flexible container within the tank and which include the fluid to be sprayed, the flexible container usually is not removable. Thus, all of the fluid, typically a chemical, must be used since there is no provision for removing and storing the flexible container. Further, the method of disposal of the fluid to be sprayed must be considered and must satisfy all local disposal regulations if a negative environmental impact is possible.




Of the spraying devices known in the prior art, a reusable compression sprayer teaches the use of a disposable plastic bag. The separate components include the plastic bag or bladder, a hose and a nozzle which are separate, i.e., discrete, elements. Other examples of spraying devices also include removable and/or replaceable bladders. A further example is a spray device having a bladder that is filled with water and which is employed to apply pressure to chemicals that contact the inner surface of the tank. This design creates a corrosion problem. In yet another example, a spray pump bladder is employed as a pressure regulator to provide a constant spray pressure.




Thus, there is a need in the art for a spray pump apparatus for use in gardening and commercial applications that includes an outer housing that incorporates a hand operated pump assembly and a removable integral bladder assembly that comprises a flexible bladder having a fill port and a cap and which is integrally formed with a perforated stand pipe and hose, feed-through device and nozzle, and wherein a first integral bladder assembly for use in spraying a first fluid can be subsequently replaced with a second identical integral bladder assembly for use in spraying a second fluid without concern for the intermixing of the previously sprayed fluid with the subsequently sprayed fluid.




DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION




Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved spray pump apparatus typically employed in gardening and commercial applications. Typical examples of such applications can include spraying nutrients in liquid form on plants and flowers or alternately spraying chemicals such as weed killers, or spraying chemical solvents and cleaners on floor surfaces for removing spills, grease and stains.




The spray pump apparatus of the present invention includes a portable device having an outer housing with a generally cylindrical shape. Extending from the top of the outer housing is a handle for actuating a piston of a manual pump assembly. Vertical operation of the handle and piston results in developing a pressure within the outer housing. Located within the outer housing is an integral bladder assembly comprising an integrally formed combination of a flexible bladder, a fill port and a seal cap for containing a fluid to be sprayed, a flexible perforated standpipe positioned within the flexible bladder which becomes an external flexible hose having a spray nozzle attached thereto, and a feed-through device for penetrating a sidewall of the outer housing.




Operation of the handle of the manual pump assembly pressurizes the interior of the outer housing which applies a force to the outer surface of the flexible bladder. The force applied to the flexible bladder causes the liquid within the flexible bladder to enter the perforated standpipe and to charge the external flexible hose. Operation of the spray nozzle releases the liquid in a suitable spray pattern. The pressure within the outer housing can be maintained by operating the handle of the manual pump assembly. The integrally formed combination of the flexible bladder with the fill port and seal cap, flexible perforated standpipe, external flexible hose and spray nozzle, and feed-through device is installed in and removed from the spray pump apparatus as a singular unit.




In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical shaped outer housing includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The manual pump assembly is mounted within the top portion of the outer housing. The top portion and the bottom portion of the outer housing each include a flange surface in combination with a tank flange O-ring seal for sealing the outer housing. Further the flange surface associated with the top portion is releaseably connected to the flange surface associated with the bottom portion of the outer housing with a V-band coupling having an over-the-center latch and safety mechanism. The flange surfaces, the O-ring seal and the V-band coupling collectively function to prevent the pressure developed within the interior of the outer housing from bleeding away. A pressure relief valve is positioned within the top portion of the outer housing.




The present invention is generally directed to a spray pump apparatus typically employed in gardening and commercial applications wherein a charged liquid is sprayed in a garden environment or on a floor surface for removing spills, grease or stains. In its most fundamental embodiment, the spray pump apparatus for use in spraying fluids includes an outer housing and a pump assembly in mechanical communication with the outer housing for developing a pressure therein. An integral bladder assembly is mounted within the outer housing and comprises an integrally formed combination of a flexible bladder, a hose and a nozzle. The flexible bladder is subjected to the pressure developed by the pump assembly for expelling a fluid contained within the flexible bladder, wherein the integral bladder assembly is installed in and removed from the outer housing as the integrally formed combination.




In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical shaped outer housing of the spray pump apparatus of the present invention exhibits a unitary construction. In the alternative embodiment exhibiting the unitary construction, the outer housing includes a top portal having threads formed on the outer surface thereof. The pump assembly is in mechanical communication with the threaded top portal for developing a pressure within the outer housing. The construction and operation of the integral bladder assembly is duplicate to that described with respect to the preferred embodiment, i.e., the components of the integral bladder assembly are installed in and removed from the outer housing as an integral unit. A threaded closure is provided for sealing the threaded top portal. Finally, a pressure relief valve is positioned within the outer housing adjacent to the threaded top portal.











These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, by way of example.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a spray pump apparatus having an outer housing comprising a top portion and a bottom portion sealed together with a tank flange clamp ring V-band coupling, and showing a pump handle and an external flexible hose and nozzle.





FIG. 2

is a cross-sectional view of the spray pump apparatus taken along line


2





2


of

FIG. 1

showing a pump assembly and handle mounted in the top portion and a removable integral bladder assembly mounted in the bottom portion, and showing the outer housing charged with air for applying pressure to a flexible bladder.





FIG. 3

is an enlarged detail view of a feed-through device passing through a side wall of the outer housing including a feed-through seal and a feed-through retainer clip.





FIG. 4

is a detail view of the removable integral bladder assembly prior to insertion into the bottom portion of the outer housing of the spray pump apparatus showing the integral nature of a flexible bladder, fill port, tethered seal cap, perforated stand pipe, external flexible hose and nozzle.





FIG. 5

is a rear elevation view of the removable flexible bladder shown in

FIG. 4

illustrating a bladder hanger eyelet and the feed-through device.





FIG. 6

is a front elevation view of the removable flexible bladder shown in

FIG. 4

illustrating the bladder fill port, tethered seal cap, and the bladder hanger eyelet.





FIG. 7

is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the spray pump apparatus of the present invention showing an outer housing exhibiting a unitary construction, and a pump assembly and handle, and a removable integral bladder assembly.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is a spray pump apparatus


100


typically employed in a garden environment or a commercial setting. In the garden environment, the spray pump apparatus


100


typically is employed for spraying nutrients in liquid form on plants and flowers, or in the alternative, spraying chemicals such as weed killers at the appropriate locations.




In a commercial setting, the spray pump apparatus


100


is typically used for spraying chemical solvents and cleaners on, for example, a floor surface in a household or garage environment for removing spills, grease and stains.




In general, the spray pump apparatus


100


is portable, can be conveniently disassembled for accessing an interior area


102


of a generally cylindrical-shaped outer housing


104


which can be pressurized by a pump assembly


106


, for example, a manual pump assembly, as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. Although the pump assembly


106


is described herein as a manual pump assembly


106


, it is understood that other suitable pump assemblies could be utilized including a motorized pump, an externally mounted pump or an air pressure fitting compatible with a pressurized air line. The interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


includes a removable integral bladder assembly


108


which contains a flexible bladder


110


including a fluid


112


to be sprayed. Upon completion of spraying a first fluid, the integral bladder assembly


108


can be replaced with a duplicate integral bladder assembly


108


for use in spraying a second fluid without concern for the intermixing of the first sprayed fluid with the subsequently second sprayed fluid. Thereafter, the removed integral bladder assembly


108


can be conveniently stored as described herein below.




The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in

FIGS. 1-6

and includes the generally cylindrical-shaped outer housing


104


. The outer housing


104


is comprised of two main components which include a top portion


114


and a bottom portion


116


as is clearly shown in FIG.


2


. The top portion


114


and the bottom portion


116


are shown in cross-section in FIG.


2


and both are comprised of any suitable material such as, for example, any metal or high strength plastic capable of withstanding the pressure generated by the pump assembly


106


. The top portion


114


and the bottom portion


116


are separable at an interface


118


for installing and removing the integral bladder assembly


108


. The top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


includes a flange surface


120


and the bottom portion


116


of the outer housing


104


includes a corresponding flange surface


122


. The flange surface


120


and the flange surface


122


meet at the interface


118


as shown in FIG.


2


.




Positioned between flange surface


120


and flange surface


122


is a tank flange O-ring seal


124


also shown in FIG.


2


. Additionally, the flange surface


120


and the flange surface


122


are releaseably connected with a V-band coupling


126


shown best in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The V-band coupling


126


includes an over-the-center latch and safety mechanism (not shown). The flange surface


120


, flange surface


122


, O-ring seal


124


and V-band coupling


126


collectively function to effectively seal the air pressure within the outer housing


104


. In other words, the flange surface


120


, flange surface


122


, O-ring seal


124


and V-band coupling


126


serve to prevent the pressure developed by the pump assembly


106


within the interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


from bleeding away. Once the top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


is connected to the bottom portion


116


of the outer housing


104


, the flange surface


120


, flange surface


122


, O-ring seal


124


and V-band coupling


126


essentially provide an air tight chamber.




The outer housing


104


is fashioned to include several penetrations therein for accommodating other structural features of the present invention. A first penetration


128


is formed in the top portion


114


for accommodating the manual pump assembly


106


as is clearly shown in

FIG. 2. A

second penetration


130


is also formed in the top portion


114


for accommodating a pressure relief valve


132


. The pressure relief valve


132


serves to relieve and to limit the air pressure within the outer housing


104


. A third penetration


134


is formed within a sidewall


136


for accommodating a feed-through device


138


. The feed-through device


138


serves to circuit a flexible hose


140


and a spray nozzle


142


of the integral bladder assembly


108


out of the outer housing


104


as is shown best in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. Finally, the outer housing


104


also includes a hanger mounting bracket


144


mounted on an inside surface


146


of the sidewall


136


which provides a suspension point for the flexible bladder


110


as shown in FIG.


2


.




Extending from the top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


is a pump handle


148


utilized for actuating a piston (not shown) of the exemplary manual pump assembly


106


clearly shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. Reciprocal operation of the pump handle


148


in the vertical direction results in developing a pressure within the interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


. This pressurization of the interior area


102


applies force to the flexible bladder


110


as is indicated by the force arrows


150


shown in FIG.


2


. The initial pressure developed within the interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


can be maintained by subsequent reciprocal operation of the pump handle


148


. The manual pump assembly


106


is mounted within the top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


as is shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The manual pump assembly


106


is held in position by a plurality of bolts


152


threaded into the top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


. As will be discussed in more detail herein below, the top portion


114


can be separated from, i.e., pulled away from, the corresponding bottom portion


116


of the outer housing. Generally, this is accomplished by first releasing the pressure in the interior area


102


via the relief valve


132


and then disconnecting the V-band coupling


126


. Thereafter, the integral bladder assembly


108


is accessible within the bottom portion


116


of the outer housing


104


.




The manual pump assembly


106


employed in the present invention is very similar to air pumps known in the art for use in inflating, for example, bicycle tires. The manual pump assembly


106


comprises the pump handle


148


, a pump cylinder


154


, a pressurizing piston (not shown), and first and second flapper valves (not shown) for admitting air into and exhausting air from the pump cylinder


154


shown in FIG.


2


. At the point where the pump cylinder


154


of the manual pump assembly


106


interfaces with the top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


, an air clearance space


156


is provided as is best shown in FIG.


2


. The air clearance space


156


provides sufficient space for admission of air into the pump cylinder


154


of the manual pump assembly


106


. The air is identified by an arrow labeled


158


in FIG.


2


.




When the pump handle


148


is withdrawn from the pump cylinder


154


, an intake flapper valve (not shown) is opened and air is drawn into and routed to a space below the pressurizing piston (not shown) of the manual pump assembly


106


. The pressurizing piston (not shown) is attached to the end of the pump handle


148


and mounted within the pump cylinder


154


. When the pump handle


148


is forced downward, i.e., the pressurizing piston is forced down into the pump cylinder


154


, the intake flapper valve (not shown) is closed and an exhaust flapper valve (not shown) is opened. The captured air is then directed through the exhaust flapper valve (not shown) and into the interior area


102


for pressurizing the outer housing


104


. The air exhausted from the manual pump assembly


106


and into the interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


causes a pressurization between the manual pump assembly


106


and the flexible bladder


110


as is indicated by the force arrows


150


in FIG.


2


. It is this pressure applied to the flexible bladder


110


that forces the fluid


112


to be sprayed into a flexible perforated standpipe


160


, and the flexible hose


140


and spray nozzle


142


as is best shown in

FIGS. 2 and 4

.




The integral bladder assembly


108


is located within the outer housing


104


and comprises the integrally formed combination of the flexible bladder


110


, the flexible perforated standpipe


160


positioned within the flexible bladder


110


which is continuous with the external flexible hose


140


having the spray nozzle


142


attached thereto, and the feed-through device


138


for penetrating the sidewall


136


of the outer housing


104


. The flexible bladder


110


also includes a fill port


162


and a tethered seal cap


164


as is clearly shown in

FIGS. 2 and 6

. It is noted that the integrally formed combination of the flexible bladder


110


with the fill port


162


and tethered seal cap


164


, flexible perforated standpipe


160


, external flexible hose


140


, spray nozzle


142


, and feed-through device


138


is installed in and removed from the spray pump apparatus


100


as a singular unit, i.e., as the integrally formed combination.




The flexible bladder


110


can be comprised of a flexible, liquid-tight container bag such as a disposable plastic bag of suitable gauge and strength as is shown in

FIGS. 2

,


4


,


5


and


6


. The flexible bladder


110


can include a generally rectangular shape as shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

. However, the flexible bladder


110


can assume any shape that will easily conform to the inside surface


146


of the outer housing


104


when the bladder


110


is filled with the fluid


112


to be sprayed. The fill port


162


with the tethered seal cap


164


is clearly shown in the front elevation of

FIG. 6

while the feed-through device


138


is clearly shown in the rear elevation of FIG.


5


. The fill port


162


and the tethered seal cap


164


can be comprised of a compatible plastic material and molded to the flexible bladder


110


.




The flexible bladder


110


also includes a bladder hanger eyelet


166


which is clearly shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

. The hanger eyelet


166


functions as a means for suspending the flexible bladder


110


from the hanger mounting bracket


144


mounted on the inside sidewall


146


of the outer housing


104


as is best shown in FIG.


2


. Further, since the flexible bladder


110


, perforated standpipe


160


, external hose


140


, spray nozzle


142


, and feed-through device


138


are integrally formed, the entire integral bladder assembly


108


can be suspended from a suitable wall mounted hook using the bladder hanger eyelet


166


once the integral bladder assembly


108


has been removed from the outer housing


104


. This design enables the entire integral bladder assembly


108


to be removed and stored together when the flexible bladder


110


is not entirely exhausted of the fluid


112


to be sprayed.




The perforated standpipe


160


is internal to and extends from the very bottom of the flexible bladder


110


to the feed-through device


138


as is Shown in Fig.


2


. The perforated standpipe


160


is the pathway by which the fluid


112


to be sprayed is expelled from the flexible bladder


110


. The standpipe


160


includes a plurality of perforations


168


positioned along the length thereof to ensure that “pinch-off” does not occur, i.e., the perforations


168


enable free flow of the fluid


112


to be sprayed even if the bottom of the perforated hose


160


is “pinched-off” or the flexible bladder


110


is pinched. Additionally, the plurality of penetrations


168


facilitate fluid flow from the flexible bladder


110


when in any orientation. Thus, the perforated standpipe


160


assists in preventing interruption of the fluid flow.




The perforated standpipe


160


is continuous with the external flexible hose


140


as is clearly shown in

FIGS. 2

,


3


and


4


. The perforated standpipe


160


comprising the plurality of perforations


168


becomes the flexible hose


140


upon passing through the feed-through device


138


as is clearly shown in FIG.


3


. The flexible hose


140


is of a suitable length and both the flexible hose


140


and the perforated standpipe


160


are comprised of a material consistent with the chemical combination of the fluids


112


to be sprayed. Those fluids


112


can include plant and flower food, liquid fertilizers, chemical weed killers, and industrial solvents and cleaners to name a few. The spray nozzle


142


connected to the flexible hose


140


can be of the type having a spring-operated handle or trigger


170


known in the art. Physical depression of the spring-operated handle or trigger


170


enables the fluid


112


to be sprayed to pass from the flexible bladder


110


through the perforated standpipe


160


and the flexible hose


140


to its intended destination.




The feed-through device


138


is best illustrated in

FIG. 3

but is also shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2


,


4


and


5


. The feed-through device


138


includes a body


172


having a central penetration


174


passing there through in a horizontal direction, a mounting flange


176


pressed directly against the inside surface


146


of the sidewall


136


, a bladder feed-through seal


178


, and a feed-through retainer clip


180


. The body


172


of the feed-through device


138


can be comprised of a suitable material such as, for example, plastic or other synthetic material, or a rubberized material to name a few. The body


172


includes the central penetration


174


that serves as a horizontal passageway through the feed-through device


138


for the passage of the flexible hose


140


as is shown in Fig.


3


.




The mounting flange


176


is integral with the body


172


of the feed-through device


138


and serves in combination with the feed-through retainer clip


180


to hold the feed-through device


138


in position. The feed-through seal


178


can be comprised of a rubber, neoprene, or other synthetic material that is positioned in a groove


182


formed in the body


172


as shown in FIG.


3


. The feed-through seal


178


prevents escape of air pressure created within the outer housing


104


by the manual pump assembly


106


. The feed-through seal


178


also prevents the loss of any of the fluid


112


to be sprayed in the unlikely event of a rupture of the flexible bladder


110


. The feed-through retainer clip


180


is positioned within a slot


184


formed within the body


172


of the feed-through device


138


as is also shown in FIG.


3


.




The integrally formed combination of the integral bladder assembly


108


includes the feed-through device


138


which serves to provide a sealed passageway for the flexible hose


140


to exit the outer housing


104


. The flexible hose


140


extends between the perforated standpipe


160


and the spray nozzle


142


. During assembly, the spray nozzle


142


and flexible hose


140


are passed through the third penetration


134


formed through the sidewall


136


of the outer housing


104


. The flexible hose


140


passes through the central penetration


174


of the feed-through device


138


. The feed-through device


138


is also passed through the third penetration


134


of the sidewall


136


until the mounting flange


176


contacts the inside surface


146


of the sidewall


136


. At that point, the feed-through retainer clip


180


is positioned within the slot


184


for locking the feed-through device


138


in position. Thus, the feed-through retainer clip


180


is employed for holding the flexible hose


140


, feed-through device


138


, perforated standpipe


160


and the flexible bladder


110


in position through the sidewall


136


.




The components of the integrally formed combination of the integral bladder assembly


108


including the flexible bladder


110


, perforated standpipe


160


, feed-through device


138


, flexible hose


140


and spray nozzle


142


are formed as a single unit, i.e., connected together, by Radio Frequency (RF) sealing methods known in the art. The mounting flange


176


of the feed-through device


138


is clearly shown in

FIG. 4

sealed to a bladder hanger


186


attached to the flexible bladder


110


as by Radio Frequency (RF) sealing. The bladder hanger


186


is also shown attached to the flexible bladder


110


in Fig.


5


. Once the interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


is pressurized by the manual pump assembly


106


, the flexible hose


140


becomes charged with the fluid


112


to be sprayed. The combination of the pressurized interior area


102


and the charged flexible hose


140


causes the feed-through device


138


to be securely held in position between the mounting flange


176


and the feed-through retainer clip


180


. The feed-through device


138


can be disassembled once pressure in the interior area


102


has been released through the pressure relief valve


132


. This is accomplished by removing the feed-through retainer clip


180


and withdrawing the feed-through device


138


, flexible hose


140


and spray nozzle


142


back through the third penetration


134


of the sidewall


136


.




One of the many advantageous features of the present invention is that the entire integral bladder assembly


108


is replaceable. Thus, a first fluid


112


to be sprayed which is contained in a first integral bladder assembly


108


can be entirely replaced by a second fluid to be sprayed which is contained in a separate, identical second integral bladder assembly


108


. This replacement of a first integral bladder assembly


108


with a second integral bladder assembly


108


can be accomplished without concern for the intermixing of the first fluid


112


to be sprayed with the second fluid


112


to be sprayed. Upon the first use of the spray pump apparatus


100


or upon replacement of a first integral bladder assembly


108


with a second integral bladder assembly


108


, the following procedure is advised.




If the spray pump apparatus


100


has previously been in use, the pressure within the outer housing


104


must be released. This is accomplished by actuating the pressure relief valve


132


mounted in the top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The V-band coupling


126


having the over-the-center latch and safety mechanism is manually released. Thereafter, the top portion


114


of the outer housing


104


is removed from the bottom portion


116


. The bladder hanger eyelet


166


is then removed from the hanger mounting bracket


144


for releasing the flexible bladder


110


as shown in FIG.


2


. The feed-through retainer clip


180


is physically separated from the slot


184


shown in FIG.


3


. Thereafter, the feed-through device


138


along with the flexible hose


140


and spray nozzle


142


are pulled through the third penetration


134


of sidewall


136


of the outer housing


104


. Thereafter, the entire integrally formed combination of the integral bladder assembly


108


can be removed from the outer housing


104


as a singular unit. If all of the fluid


112


to be sprayed has not been expelled, the first integral bladder assembly


108


can be suspended from a suitable wall mounted hook using the bladder hanger eyelet


166


.




At this point, a separate, identical integral bladder assembly


108


can be installed in the following manner. Initially, the bladder hanger eyelet


166


of the flexible bladder


110


is positioned over the hanger mounting bracket


144


attached to the inside surface


146


of sidewall


136


of the outer housing


104


. Next, the spray nozzle


142


, flexible hose


140


and feed-through device


138


are extended through the third penetration


134


formed in the sidewall


136


. The feed-through device


138


is then manipulated until the mounting flange


176


is positioned against the inside surface


146


of the sidewall


136


. Thereafter, the feed-through retainer clip


180


is positioned within the slot


184


formed within the body


172


of the feed-through device


138


. The feed-through device


138


is now captured in position between the mounting flange


176


and the feed-through retainer clip


180


.




At this point, the flexible bladder


110


of the separate, identical integral bladder assembly


108


is properly suspended within the bottom portion


116


of the outer housing


104


. It is intended that the flexible bladder


110


will be available either (a) filled with the fluid


112


to be sprayed, or (b) more typically, containing a powder concentrate of flower or plant food, weed killer, or chemical cleaners and/or solvents. If the flexible bladder


110


contains the powder concentrate, the tethered seal cap


164


is removed from the fill port


162


so that the appropriate volume of water can be added to form the fluid


112


to be sprayed.




The top portion


114


is then reassembled to the bottom portion


116


of the outer housing


104


and the V-band coupling


126


including the over-the-center latch and safety mechanism (not shown) are locked into position. The spray pump apparatus


100


now being reassembled, the pump handle


148


of the manual pump assembly


106


is operated up and down as indicated by the double-headed arrow


188


shown in

FIG. 2

to pressurize the interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


. The pressure developed within the interior area


102


is applied to the flexible bladder


110


and not to the fluid


112


to be sprayed. In particular, the pressure developed within the interior area


102


is applied through the flexible bladder


110


to the fluid


112


to be sprayed. This action occurs without the developed pressure being applied directly to the fluid


112


to be sprayed.




It is the pressure developed by the manual pump assembly


106


and applied to the flexible bladder


110


that urges the fluid


112


to be sprayed to enter the perforated standpipe


160


and charge the flexible hose


140


. Upon actuation of the spring operated handle or trigger


170


of the spray nozzle


142


, the fluid


112


to be sprayed is then expelled from the flexible hose


110


. When the pressure within the interior area


102


of the outer housing


104


is dissipated, the pump handle


148


can again be operated up and down to re-pressurize the outer housing


104


. When the fluid


112


to be sprayed enclosed within the flexible bladder


110


has been exhausted, the integral bladder assembly


108


can be removed and replaced ,if desired, as described herein above.




An alternative embodiment of the spray pump apparatus of the present invention is shown in Fig.


7


and is referred to by the identification number


200


. Each of the components appearing in the alternative embodiment


200


that correspond in structure and function to those components appearing in the preferred embodiment


100


is identified by the corresponding number of the


200


series.




In general, the spray pump apparatus


200


is portable, includes an interior area


202


positioned within a generally cylindrical-shaped outer housing


204


which can be pressurized by a pump assembly


206


, for example, a manual pump assembly, as shown in FIG.


7


. Although the pump assembly


206


is described herein as a manual pump assembly


206


, it is understood that other suitable pump assemblies could be utilized including a motorized pump, an externally mounted pump or an air pressure fitting compatible with a pressurized air line. The interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


includes a removable integral bladder assembly


208


which contains a flexible bladder


210


including a fluid


212


to be sprayed. Upon completion of spraying a first fluid, the integral bladder assembly


208


can be replaced with a duplicate integral bladder assembly


208


for use in spraying a second fluid without concern for the intermixing of the first sprayed fluid with the second sprayed fluid. Thereafter, the removed integral bladder assembly


208


can be conveniently stored as by hanging on a wall mounted hook (not shown).




The alternative embodiment


200


of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.


7


and includes the generally cylindrical-shaped outer housing


204


. The outer housing


204


is characterized by a unitary (one-piece) construction and thus the structural modifications appearing in the alternative embodiment


200


of the present invention are directed to the outer housing


204


. The outer housing


204


can be comprised of any suitable material such as, for example, any metal or high strength plastic capable of withstanding the pressure generated by the manual pump assembly


206


.




In the spray pump apparatus


200


exhibiting the unitary construction, the outer housing


204


includes a top portal


290


which extends above the outer housing


204


. The interior of the upward extending top portal


290


is hollow. The top portal


290


includes a plurality of external threads


292


which cooperate with a corresponding plurality of internal threads


294


of a threaded closure


296


as shown in FIG.


7


. The function of the threaded closure


296


is to seal the threaded top portal


290


for maintaining pressure within the interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


.




The outer housing


204


is fashioned to include several penetrations therein for accommodating other structural features of the present invention. A first penetration


228


is formed in the outer housing


204


in alignment with the top portal


290


for accommodating the manual pump assembly


206


as is clearly shown in

FIG. 7. A

second penetration


230


is also formed in the outer housing


204


for accommodating a pressure relief valve


232


for relieving the air pressure within the outer housing


204


. A third penetration


234


is formed within a sidewall


236


for accommodating a feed-through device


238


. The feed-through device


238


serves to circuit a flexible hose


240


and a spray nozzle


242


of the integral bladder assembly


208


out of the outer housing


204


as shown in FIG.


7


. Finally, the outer housing


204


includes a hanger mounting bracket


244


mounted on an inside surface


246


of the sidewall


236


which provides a suspension point for the flexible bladder


210


as shown in FIG.


7


.




Extending out of the upward extending top portal


290


and through a clearance space


256


formed in the threaded closure


296


is a pump handle


248


. The pump handle


248


is utilized for actuating a piston (not shown) of the manual pump assembly


206


clearly shown in FIG.


7


. Reciprocal operation of the pump handle


248


in the vertical direction results in developing a pressure within the interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


. This pressurization of the interior area


202


applies force to the flexible bladder


210


as is indicated by the force arrows


250


shown in FIG.


7


. The initial pressure developed within the interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


can be maintained by subsequent reciprocal operation of the pump handle


248


. The manual pump assembly


206


is mounted within the top portal


290


of the outer housing


204


. The manual pump assembly


206


is held in position by the top portal


290


and the threaded closure


296


. The integral bladder assembly


208


is accessible through the top portal


290


after the threaded closure


296


and the manual pump assembly


206


have been removed from the outer housing


204


.




The manual pump assembly


206


employed in the present invention is very similar to air pumps known in the art for use in inflating, for example, bicycle tires. The manual pump assembly


206


comprises the pump handle


248


, a pump cylinder


254


, a pressurizing piston (not shown), and first and second flapper valves (not shown) for admitting air into and exhausting air from the pump cylinder


254


as shown in FIG.


7


. The pump handle


248


extends through the clearance space


256


formed in the threaded closure


296


. That portion of the clearance space


256


that exists between the pump handle


248


and the threaded closure


296


provides an air passageway. Thus, the air passageway formed by the clearance space


256


provides sufficient space for admission of air into the pump cylinder


254


of the manual pump assembly


206


. The air is identified by an arrow labeled


258


in FIG.


7


.




When the pump handle


248


is withdrawn from the pump cylinder


254


, an intake flapper valve (not shown) is opened and air is drawn into and routed to a space below the pressurizing piston (not shown) of the manual pump assembly


206


. The pressurizing piston (not shown) is attached to the end of the pump handle


248


and mounted within the pump cylinder


254


. When the pump handle


248


is forced downward, i.e., the pressurizing piston is forced down into the pump cylinder


254


, the intake flapper valve (not shown) is closed and an exhaust flapper valve (not shown) is opened. The captured air is then directed through the exhaust flapper valve (not shown) and into the interior area


202


for pressurizing the outer housing


204


. The air exhausted from the manual pump assembly


206


and into the interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


causes a pressurization between the manual pump assembly


206


and the flexible bladder


210


as is indicated by the force arrows


250


in FIG.


7


. It is this pressure applied to the flexible bladder


210


that forces the fluid


212


to be sprayed into a flexible perforated standpipe


260


, and the flexible hose


240


and spray nozzle


242


.




The integral bladder assembly


208


is located within the outer housing


204


and comprises the integrally formed combination of the flexible bladder


210


, the flexible perforated standpipe


260


positioned within the flexible bladder


210


which is continuous with the external flexible hose


240


having the spray nozzle


242


attached thereto, and the feed-through device


238


for penetrating the sidewall


236


of the outer housing


204


. The flexible bladder


210


also includes a fill port


262


and a tethered seal cap


264


as is clearly shown in FIG.


7


. It is noted that the integrally formed combination of the flexible bladder


210


with the fill port


262


and tethered seal cap


264


, flexible perforated standpipe


260


, external flexible hose


240


, spray nozzle


242


, and feed-through device


238


is installed in and removed from the spray pump apparatus


200


as a singular unit, i.e., as the integrally formed combination.




The flexible bladder


210


can be comprised of a flexible, liquid-tight container bag such as a disposable plastic bag of suitable gauge and strength as is shown in FIG.


7


. The flexible bladder


210


can include a generally rectangular shape also shown in FIG.


7


. However, the flexible bladder


210


can assume any shape that will easily conform to the inside surface


246


of the outer housing


204


when the bladder


210


is filled with the fluid


212


to be sprayed. The fill port


262


with the tethered seal cap


264


and the feed-through device


238


are also clearly shown. The fill port


262


and the tethered seal cap


264


can be comprised of a compatible plastic material and molded to the flexible bladder


210


.




The flexible bladder


210


also includes a bladder hanger eyelet


266


. The hanger eyelet


266


functions as a means for suspending the flexible bladder


210


from the hanger mounting bracket


244


mounted on the inside sidewall


246


of the outer housing


204


. Further, since the flexible bladder


210


, perforated standpipe


260


, external hose


240


, spray nozzle


242


, and feed-through device


238


are integrally formed, the entire integral bladder assembly


208


can be suspended from a suitable wall mounted hook using the bladder hanger eyelet


266


once the integral bladder assembly


208


has been removed from the outer housing


204


. This design enables the entire integral bladder assembly


208


to be removed and stored together when the flexible bladder


210


is not entirely exhausted of the fluid


212


to be sprayed.




The perforated standpipe


260


is internal to and extends from the very bottom of the flexible bladder


210


to the feed-through device


238


as is shown in FIG.


7


. The perforated standpipe


260


is the pathway by which the fluid


212


to be sprayed is expelled from the flexible bladder


210


. The standpipe


260


includes a plurality of perforations


268


positioned along the length thereof to ensure that “pinch-off” does not occur, i.e., the perforations


268


enable free flow of the fluid


212


to be sprayed even if the bottom of the perforated hose


260


is “pinched-off” or the flexible bladder


210


is pinched. Additionally, the plurality of penetrations


268


facilitate fluid flow from the flexible bladder


210


when in any orientation. Thus, the perforated standpipe


260


assists in preventing interruption of the fluid flow.




The perforated standpipe


260


is continuous with the external flexible hose


240


as is clearly shown in FIG.


7


. The perforated standpipe


260


comprising the plurality of perforations


268


becomes the flexible hose


240


upon passing through the feed-through device


238


. The flexible hose


240


is of a suitable length and both the flexible hose


240


and the perforated standpipe


260


are comprised of a material consistent with the chemical combination of the fluids


212


to be sprayed. Those fluids


212


can include plant and flower food, liquid fertilizers, chemical weed killers, and industrial solvents and cleaners to name a few. The spray nozzle


242


connected to the flexible hose


240


can be of the type having a spring-operated handle or trigger


270


known in the art. Physical depression of the spring-operated handle or trigger


270


enables the fluid


212


to be spray to pass from the flexible bladder


210


through the perforated standpipe


260


and the flexible hose


240


to its intended destination.




The feed-through device


238


is identical to that described in reference to FIG.


3


. The feed-through device


238


includes a body


272


having a central penetration


274


passing there through in a horizontal direction, a mounting flange


276


pressed directly against the inside surface


246


of the sidewall


236


, a bladder feed-through seal


278


, and a feed-through retainer clip


280


. The body


272


of the feed-through device


238


can be comprised of a suitable material such as, for example, plastic or other synthetic material, or a rubberized material to name a few. The body


272


includes the central penetration


274


that serves as a horizontal passageway through the feed-through device


238


for the passage of the flexible hose


240


as is shown in Fig.


7


.




The mounting flange


276


is integral with the body


272


of the feed-through device


238


and serves in combination with the feed-through retainer clip


280


to hold the feed-through device


238


in position. The feed-through seal


278


can be comprised of a rubber, neoprene, or other synthetic material that is positioned in a groove


282


formed in the body


272


as shown in FIG.


7


. The feed-through seal


278


prevents escape of air pressure created within the outer housing


204


by the manual pump assembly


206


. The feed-through seal


278


also prevents the loss of any of the fluid


212


to be sprayed in the unlikely event of a rupture of the flexible bladder


210


. The feed-through retainer clip


280


is positioned within a slot


284


formed within the body


272


of the feed-through device


238


as is also shown in FIG.


7


.




The integrally formed combination of the integral bladder assembly


208


includes the feed-through device


238


which serves to provide a sealed passageway for the flexible hose


240


to exit the outer housing


204


. The flexible hose


240


extends between the perforated standpipe


260


and the spray nozzle


242


. During assembly, the spray nozzle


242


and flexible hose


240


are passed through the third penetration


234


formed through the sidewall


236


of the outer housing


204


. The flexible hose


240


passes through the central penetration


274


of the feed-through device


238


. The feed-through device


238


is also passed through the third penetration


234


of the sidewall


236


until the mounting flange


276


contacts the inside surface


246


of the sidewall


236


. At that point, the feed-through retainer clip


280


is positioned within the slot


284


for locking the feed-through device


238


in position. Thus, the feed-through retainer clip


280


is employed for-holding the flexible hose


240


, feed-through device


238


, perforated standpipe


260


and the flexible bladder


210


in position through the sidewall


236


.




The components of the integrally formed combination of the integral bladder assembly


208


including the flexible bladder


210


, perforated standpipe


260


, feed-through device


238


, flexible hose


240


and spray nozzle


242


are formed as a single unit, i.e., connected together, by Radio Frequency (RF) sealing methods known in the art. The mounting flange


276


of the feed-through device


238


is clearly shown in

Fig. 7

sealed to a bladder hanger


286


attached to the flexible bladder


210


as by Radio Frequency (RF) sealing. The bladder hanger


286


is also shown attached to the flexible bladder


210


.




Once the interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


is pressurized by the manual pump assembly


206


, the flexible hose


240


becomes charged with the fluid


212


to be sprayed. The combination of the pressurized interior area


202


and the charged flexible hose


240


causes the feed-through device


238


to be securely held in position between the mounting flange


276


and the feed-through retainer clip


280


. The feed-through device


238


can be disassembled once pressure in the interior area


202


has been released through the pressure relief valve


232


. This is accomplished by removing the feed-through retainer clip


280


and withdrawing the feed-through device


238


, flexible hose


240


and spray nozzle


242


back through the third penetration


234


of the sidewall


236


.




One of the many advantageous features of the present invention is that the entire integral bladder assembly


208


is replaceable. Thus, a first fluid


212


to be sprayed which is contained in a first integral bladder assembly


208


can be entirely replaced by a second fluid to be sprayed which is contained in a separate, identical second integral bladder assembly


208


. This replacement of a first integral bladder assembly


208


with a second integral bladder assembly


208


can be accomplished without concern for the intermixing of the first fluid


212


to be sprayed with the second fluid


212


to be sprayed. Upon the first use of the spray pump apparatus


200


or upon replacement of a first integral bladder assembly


208


with a second integral bladder assembly


208


, the following procedure is advised.




If the spray pump apparatus


200


has previously been in use, the pressure within the outer housing


204


must be released. This is accomplished by actuating the pressure relief valve


232


mounted in the outer housing


204


as shown in FIG.


7


. The threaded closure


296


is then un-threaded and removed from the top portal


290


as is shown in FIG.


7


. Thereafter, the threaded closure


296


and the entire manual pump assembly


206


is removed from the outer housing


204


. The interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


is now accessible by hand. The bladder hanger eyelet


266


is then removed from the hanger mounting bracket


244


for releasing the flexible bladder


210


. The feed-through retainer clip


280


is physically separated from the slot


284


shown in FIG.


7


. Then, the feed-through device


238


along with the flexible hose


240


and spray nozzle


242


are pulled through the third penetration


234


of sidewall


236


of the outer housing


204


. Thereafter, the entire integrally formed combination of the integral bladder assembly


208


can be removed as a singular unit from the outer housing


204


through the top portal


290


. If all of the fluid


212


to be sprayed has not been expelled, the first integral bladder assembly


208


can be suspended from a suitable wall mounted hook for subsequent use by employing the bladder hanger eyelet


266


.




At this point, a separate, identical integral bladder assembly


208


can be installed in the following manner. Initially, the bladder hanger eyelet


266


of the flexible bladder


210


is positioned over the hanger mounting bracket


244


attached to the inside surface


246


of sidewall


236


of the outer housing


204


. Next, the spray nozzle


242


, flexible hose


240


and feed-through device


238


are extended through the third penetration


234


formed in the sidewall


236


. The feed-through device


238


is then manipulated until the mounting flange


276


is positioned against the inside surface


246


of the sidewall


236


. Thereafter, the feed-through retainer clip


280


is positioned within the slot


284


formed within the body


272


of the feed-through device


238


. The feed-through device


238


is now captured in position between the mounting flange


276


and the feed-through retainer clip


280


. At this point, the flexible bladder


210


of the separate, identical integral bladder assembly


208


is properly suspended within the outer housing


204


. It is intended that the flexible bladder


210


will be available either (a) filled with the fluid


212


to be sprayed, or (b) more typically, containing a powder concentrate of flower or plant food, weed killer, or chemical cleaners and/or solvents. If the flexible bladder


210


contains the powder concentrate, the tethered seal cap


264


is removed from the fill port


262


so that the appropriate volume of water can be added to form the fluid


212


to be sprayed.




The manual pump assembly


206


and the threaded closure


296


are then repositioned within the top portal


290


. The internal threads


294


of the threaded closure


296


are then re-threaded to the external threads


292


of the top portal


290


so that the outer housing


204


is re-assembled. The spray pump apparatus


200


now being reassembled, the pump handle


248


of the manual pump assembly


206


is operated up and down as indicated by the double-headed arrow


288


shown in

FIG. 7

to pressurize the interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


. The pressure developed within the interior area


202


is applied to the flexible bladder


210


and not to the fluid


212


to be sprayed. In particular, the pressure developed within the interior area


202


is applied through the flexible bladder


210


to the fluid


212


to be sprayed. This action occurs without the developed pressure being applied directly to the fluid


212


to be sprayed.




It is the pressure developed by the manual pump assembly


206


and applied to the flexible bladder


210


that urges the fluid


212


to be sprayed to enter the perforated standpipe


260


and charge the flexible hose


240


. Upon actuation of the spring operated handle or trigger


270


of the spray nozzle


242


, the fluid


212


to be sprayed is then expelled from the flexible hose


210


. When the pressure within the interior area


202


of the outer housing


204


is dissipated, the pump handle


248


can again be operated up and down to re-pressurize the outer housing


204


. When the fluid


212


to be sprayed enclosed within the flexible bladder


210


has been exhausted, the integral bladder assembly


208


can be removed and replaced, if desired, as described herein above.




The spray pump apparatus


100


of the present invention provides novel advantages over other spray pump devices known in the prior art. A main advantage of the spray pump apparatus


100


of the present invention is that the integral bladder assembly


108


comprises the integrally formed combination of the flexible bladder


110


, perforated standpipe


160


, feed-through device


138


, flexible hose


140


and spray nozzle


142


. Another main advantage is that each of the components of the integrally formed combination are installed and replaced within the outer housing


104


as a singular unit. Another advantage is that an integral bladder assembly


108


having a first flexible bladder


110


containing a first fluid


112


to be sprayed can be completely replaced with a separate, identical integral bladder assembly


108


having a second flexible bladder


110


containing a second fluid


112


to be sprayed without any concern for the intermixing of the two separate fluids


212


to be sprayed. Further advantages are that the flexible bladder


110


includes a bladder hanger eyelet


166


for enabling the flexible bladder


110


to be suspended from a hanger mounting bracket


144


within the outer housing


104


or, in the alternative, suspended from a wall mounted hook for storage when not being used. Additionally, the flexible standpipe


160


is positioned internal to the flexible bladder


110


and includes a plurality of perforations


168


along its length to (a) facilitate flow of the fluid


112


to be sprayed in any orientation of the flexible bladder


110


, and (b) avoid interruption of the flow due to pinching of the flexible bladder


110


. Also, the outer housing


104


can be quickly separated into the top portion


114


and the bottom portion


116


utilizing the V-band coupling


126


to allow easy installation and removal of the flexible bladder


110


. Finally, use of the removable flexible bladder


110


eliminates the requirement of flushing the interior of the outer housing


104


after each use.




While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.




It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly,



Claims
  • 1. A spray pump apparatus for use in spraying fluids comprising:an outer housing; a pump assembly in mechanical communication with said outer housing for developing a pressure within said outer housing; and an integral bladder assembly mounted within said outer housing and comprising an integrally formed combination of a flexible bladder, a hose and a nozzle, wherein said flexible bladder is subjected to said pressure developed by said pump assembly for expelling a fluid contained within said flexible bladder, and wherein said integral bladder assembly is installed in and removed from said outer housing as said integrally formed combination.
  • 2. The spray pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible bladder further includes a fill port for inserting a fluid into said flexible bladder.
  • 3. The spray pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible bladder further includes a tethered cap for sealing said flexible bladder.
  • 4. The spray pump apparatus of claim 1 further including a flexible perforated standpipe positioned within said flexible bladder for facilitating the flow of said fluid.
  • 5. The spray pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein said integrally formed combination of said integral bladder assembly further includes a feed-through device for circuiting said hose out of said outer housing.
  • 6. The spray pump apparatus of claim 5 further including a retainer clip for securing said feed-through device in position in said outer housing.
  • 7. The spray pump apparatus of claim 1 further including a hanger mounting bracket for supporting said flexible bladder within said outer housing.
  • 8. The spray pump apparatus of claim 1 further including a pressure relief valve mounted within said outer housing for relieving pressure within said outer housing.
  • 9. The spray pump apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible bladder further includes a hanger eyelet for suspending said flexible bladder within said outer housing.
  • 10. A spray pump apparatus for use in spraying fluids comprising:an outer housing having a top portion coupled to a bottom portion; a pump assembly in mechanical communication with said top portion for developing a pressure within said outer housing; and an integral bladder assembly mounted within said outer housing and comprising an integrally formed combination of a flexible bladder, a hose, a flexible perforated standpipe and a nozzle, wherein said flexible bladder is subjected to said pressure developed by said pump assembly for expelling a fluid contained within said flexible bladder, and wherein said integral bladder assembly is installed in and removed from said outer housing as said integrally formed combination.
  • 11. The spray pump apparatus of claim 10 wherein said top portion and said bottom portion of said outer housing each include a flange surface in combination with a seal for maintaining said pressure developed within said outer housing.
  • 12. The spray pump apparatus of claim 10 wherein said top portion is coupled to said bottom portion with a V-band coupling.
  • 13. The spray pump apparatus of claim 10 wherein said flexible bladder further includes a fill port and a tethered cap for inserting a fluid into and for sealing said flexible bladder.
  • 14. The spray pump apparatus of claim 10 wherein said flexible perforated standpipe is positioned within said flexible bladder for facilitating the flow of said fluid.
  • 15. The spray pump apparatus of claim 10 further including a hanger mounting bracket for supporting said flexible bladder within said outer housing.
  • 16. A spray pump apparatus for use in spraying fluids comprising:an outer housing of unitary construction having a threaded top portal; a pump assembly in mechanical communication with said threaded top portal for developing a pressure within said outer housing; and an integral bladder assembly mounted within said outer housing and comprising an integrally formed combination of a flexible bladder, a hose, a flexible perforated standpipe and a nozzle, wherein said flexible bladder is subjected to said pressure developed by said pump assembly for expelling a fluid contained within said flexible bladder, and wherein said integral bladder assembly is installed in and removed from said outer housing as said integrally formed combination.
  • 17. The spray pump apparatus of claim 16 further including a threaded closure for sealing said threaded top portal.
  • 18. The spray pump apparatus of claim 16 wherein said flexible bladder further includes a fill port and a tethered cap for inserting a fluid into and for sealing said flexible bladder.
  • 19. The spray pump apparatus of claim 16 wherein said flexible perforated standpipe is positioned within said flexible bladder for facilitating the flow of said fluid.
  • 20. The spray pump apparatus of claim 16 further including a hanger mounting bracket for supporting said flexible bladder within said outer housing.
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817054 Gay Apr 1906 A
2723056 Smith Nov 1955 A
2744662 Smith et al. May 1956 A
3091372 Tidd May 1963 A
3198405 Pfeil Aug 1965 A
3300102 Budzich Jan 1967 A
3638699 Hillinger Feb 1972 A
4193518 Holmes Mar 1980 A
4223809 Martin Sep 1980 A
4785974 Rudick et al. Nov 1988 A
4836416 Shalgi et al. Jun 1989 A
4886212 Proctor et al. Dec 1989 A
5137175 Kowalski et al. Aug 1992 A
5226566 Brandenburg Jul 1993 A
5251787 Simson Oct 1993 A
5305921 Kock et al. Apr 1994 A
5348190 Mizzi et al. Sep 1994 A
5398852 Lacy Mar 1995 A
5499750 Mabifold Mar 1996 A
5607082 Cracauer Mar 1997 A
5755361 Restive et al. May 1998 A