Patent Application
20200353485
Spray devices have long been used in the agricultural industry for spraying liquids such as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. One example of such a spray device is a backpack sprayer having a handheld wand that an operator uses to apply agrichemicals to the plants. The wand typically uses a spray nozzle that has a relatively narrow spray angle with a tapered distribution pattern. While inexpensive, this kind of backpack spray device has a number of drawbacks. For example, the nozzle configuration can lead to inconsistent spray coverage of the plants leading to poor efficacy of the treatment. The narrow spray angle can also require an operator to make numerous passes in order to apply the chemicals to a given area. As a result, the chemical application operation can be time consuming and thus more costly.
In view of the foregoing, a general object of the present invention is to provide a spray nozzle for a spray device that has improved spray coverage leading to a more efficacious application of liquids than achieved with existing sprayers used in agricultural applications.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a spray nozzle for a spray device that produces a relatively wide distribution pattern such that liquids may be applied in a more efficient and less time consuming manner than with existing sprayers used in a agricultural applications.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a spray nozzle for a spray device that produces an even spray distribution.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spray nozzle for a spray device that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. The identified objects are not intended to limit the present invention.
Referring to
In the embodiment illustrated in
For discharging the liquid, a distal end of the wand 18 is equipped with a spray nozzle 12 as shown in
For metering the rate of flow of fluid into the spray nozzle 12, a flow control element 30 is provided at the inlet end 26 of the spray nozzle 12 as shown in
As best shown in
For producing a wide angle and even distribution pattern, two discharge orifices 44, 46 are provided in the dome-shaped end wall 42 of the convex portion 36 of the nozzle body 28. The two discharge orifices 44, 46 are offset from each other on opposite sides of the apex 48 of the dome shaped end wall 42 as shown in the end view of
Each discharge orifice 44, 46 has an elongated slit-like configuration that widens as it extends from a first end 54, 55 to a second end 56, 57 with the edges of each orifice 44, 46 extending in an arc over the dome-shaped end wall 42. In this case, each discharge orifice 44, 46 widens continuously as it extends from the first end 54, 55 to the second end 56, 57. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 56, 57 of each discharge orifice 44, 46 (representing the relatively wider end of the discharge orifice 44, 46) is near the transition 60 between the cylindrical portion 34 and the convex portion 36 of the nozzle body 28 (i.e., the upstream end of the convex portion). The opposing first end 54, 55 of each discharge orifice 44, 46 (representing the relatively narrower end of the discharge orifice 44, 46) is at a further downstream portion of the end wall 42 that is relative closer to the apex 48 of the end wall 42. The two discharge orifices 44, 46 each extend to a sufficient length that a substantial portion of the orifices 44, 46 overlap with one another when viewed in the first and second directions 50, 52 (represented by
In one embodiment, the center of each discharge orifice 44, 46 at its respective base is spaced less than approximately 0.1 inches from the longitudinal axis 64 of the nozzle body 28 and more specifically approximately 0.08 inches from the longitudinal axis 64 of the nozzle body 28. In another embodiment, the centerline of each discharge orifice 44, 46 is at an angle of less than approximately 10° relative to the longitudinal axis 64 of the nozzle body 28 and more particular at an angle of approximately 7.5° relative to the longitudinal axis 64 of the nozzle body 28. In one embodiment, each discharge orifice 44, 46 is approximately 0.23 inches long when measured in a horizontal plane that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 64 of the nozzle body 28. In yet another embodiment, the width of each discharge orifice 44, 46 may be approximately three times greater at the second end 56, 57 than the width at the first end 54, 55. According to one exemplary embodiment, the discharge orifices 44, 46 are approximately 0.01 inches at the first end 54, 55 and approximately 0.03 inches at the second end 56, 57. The widths of the two discharge orifices 44, 46 may be adjusted to provide a desired flow rate capacity with relatively wider orifices providing a relatively higher flow rate capacity. It should be understood that all of these dimensions are with reference to exemplary embodiments of the spray nozzle.
In operation, the two discharge orifices 44, 46 together produce an even fan-shaped spray pattern with the overlapping, relatively narrower portions of the discharge orifices producing the center of the spray pattern while the relatively wider ends of the discharge orifices produce the opposing ends of the spray pattern. The disclosed discharge orifice configuration produces a spray pattern with a relatively wide angle and an even distribution. Such a pattern can allow an operator to discharge liquid evenly over a relatively wide area simply by traversing the area in straight paths with each traverse of the area starting at the edge of spray pattern produced by the previous path.
A further embodiment of a spray nozzle 112 according to the present invention is shown in
In use, an operator can use the orientation rib 170 to better see how the spray nozzle 112 is oriented in the spraying device with which it is being used, such as the spray wand 18 shown in
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/846,055, filed May 10, 2019, entitled “WIDE ANGLE SPRAY NOZZLE,” the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, including any references therein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62846055 | May 2019 | US |
