WO2007014690A1

WO2007014690A1 - Cartridge and admixing arrangement for a manually operable arrangement for spraying water mixed with an additive

Info

Publication number: WO2007014690A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/007414
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner Kress
Original assignee: Brill Gloria Haus-Und Gartengeräte Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-08-01
Filing date: 2006-07-27
Publication date: 2007-02-08
Also published as: EP1909950A1; DE502006002213D1; ATE415196T1; EP1909950B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge for an admixing arrangement of a manually operable arrangement for spraying a solvent, in particular water, into which an additive in the form of a liquid concentrate, such as a plant or crop protection agent, has been mixed, comprising an outer cartridge housing (110, 1100, 11003, 11002); a pressure-sensitive inner container (120) for accommodating the liquid concentrate; a mixing chamber (150, 1150, 11150), the mixing chamber (150, 1150, 11150) having a device with a first outlet opening (140, 1140, 13140), for the concentrate or plant spray, an inlet opening (160, 1160, 11160), designed as a throttle, for the solvent or water, and a second outlet opening (170, 1170, 11170) for the concentrate/solvent mixture.

Description

Cartridge and mixing device for a hand-operated device for spraying mixed with an additive water

Regarding other applications

The present invention claims priority to the benefit of 35 U.S.C. § 119 and 35 U.S.C. § 120 of the German Patent Application 10 2005 036 046.7 filed on 01.08.2005 at the German Patent and Trademark Office and the US provisional application 60 / 728,455 filed on 20/10/2005 at the US Patent and Trademark Office. The content of the applications 10 2005 036 046.7 and

60 / 728,455 is fully incorporated in the present application.

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a cartridge for a Zumischvorrichtung a hand-operated device for spraying water, in which an additive in the form of a liquid concentrate, such as a pesticide, is mixed. The invention is not limited to the admixture of pesticides, but the application of other available in concentrate form chemical substances such as cleaning agents with the cartridge is possible.

State of the art

Hand-operated devices for spraying water into the one

Additives in the form of a liquid concentrate, such as a pesticide is mixed, are commonly used in crop sprays and are here connected via their water connection, which is preferably a pressurized water connection, by means of a pressure hose with a portable pressure vessel. This pressure vessel absorbs the already mixed with the respective additive water and can be pressurized by means of a manually operable or motor-driven air pump be, which forms an air cushion above the liquid level in the pressure vessel. The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the pressure vessel, the supply hose to the spray device, the manual valve and the spray pipe can be contaminated with the admixed in the water additives, which can be toxic, but at least not environmentally friendly. Another disadvantage of these devices is that always a large amount of mixture must be applied, which is often not completely spent and then disposed of. In addition, there is the risk in these known spraying devices that the additional concentrate in the water is added with an overdose or underdose or false dose.

In order to overcome the aforementioned problems, WO 02 / 0515555A1 has disclosed a manually operable device for spraying water with an admixing device which comprises a mixing head to which a cartridge accommodating the concentrate can be releasably attached.

The disadvantage of the device known from WO 02/051555 A1 is that the cartridge has a filling space in the manner of a cylinder, in which the concentrated additive is brought out of the cartridge into the mixing head by moving a displaceable piston. On the one hand, this is a very complicated device, on the other hand there is the problem that with the mixing chamber permanently installed in the admixing device, the admixing concentration can not be readily changed.

A substantially simpler construction compared to that known from WO 02 / 0151555A1, the formation of a hand-operated device for spraying such a mixture, as it is known for example from US 4,406,406.

In the device known from US 4,406,406 by introducing a water pressure in a cartridge, the spray is due to this Water pressure expelled either by displacement of a piston or by compressing a pressure-sensitive inner container. A disadvantage of the device known from US Pat. No. 4,406,406 is that, as in the case of WO 02/051555 A1, the mixing chamber is part of the mixing head with the disadvantages described therein.

From US 1,827,502 a system has become known in which a container receiving a chemical is introduced into a conduit, which may, for example, carry a solvent such as water, in order to mix the chemical into the solvent.

No. 2,584,104 shows a tank into which the solvents, for example water, are introduced into a line. From the tank, a chemical is supplied to the flowing solvent or water and mixed into the water.

US Pat. No. 4,971,248 has disclosed a device for irrigating, for example, grass areas, in which a container, for example a chemical, is introduced into a conduit. The chemical is added via an outlet in a solvent, for example in a water stream.

US Pat. No. 2,857,202 shows a device in which, in turn, from a container receiving chemicals, this container is introduced into a water supply line or solvent line, so that water from the container can be metered into the solvent when the line flows through it.

US 3,897,004 shows a nozzle designed to mix a fluid into a carrier fluid. Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide a cartridge that allows the use of different concentrates compared to the previously known cartridges when introduced into the admixing device, which are always optimally metered into the water depending, for example, the plant active ingredient or concentrate.

This is achieved in that the mixing chamber is not part of the mixing head of the admixing device, but part of the cartridge inserted into the admixing device.

According to the invention, the cartridge itself comprises a mixing chamber with a first outlet opening or a nozzle device with nozzle opening for dispensing the spray, an inlet opening for water, which can be configured as a throttle with a throttle diameter, and a second outlet opening for the mixture generated in the mixing chamber of the cartridge ,

It is particularly preferred if the first outlet opening or nozzle opening has a diameter of 0.1 to 3 mm, in particular 0.1 to 1 mm, particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mm, very particularly preferably 0.15 to 0, 3 mm and the inlet opening or throttle opening has a diameter of 1, 2 to 3 mm, preferably 1, 2 to 2.5 mm, in particular 1, 4 to 1, 9 mm.

The diameter of the nozzle opening and / or the throttle opening is selected for the respective spray agent or concentrate which is introduced into the cartridge, so that the spray agent or concentrate can be applied optimally. The diameters of both the nozzle opening and / or the throttle opening determine the mixing ratio of the concentrate with the solvent, ie in the present case with water. This is due to the fact that different concentrates have different viscosities at the same temperature. The However, viscosities influence, inter alia, the mixing ratio. If the temperature rises, a higher mixing ratio is generally achieved with the same concentrate.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cartridge is detachably connected to the mixing head of the admixing device, for example via a detachable screw connection or a clip connection.

It is particularly preferred if the inner container, in which the spray is spent, comprises a compressible material. Preferred materials are plastics or rubber-elastic materials. A preferred plastic is polyethylene (PE).

Preferably, the cartridge comprises an activator. The activator comprises an axially movable component, which can preferably be brought into different positions. The advantage of an activator which is designed as a separate component is that the activator, which is designed, for example, as an axial component, can be exchanged very easily. Depending on the concentrate, different mixing ratios must be set. This is done, for example, by using different activators for different concentrates, wherein the activators have different nozzle openings and / or throttle openings for different concentrates. By simply exchanging the activator it is then possible to use one and the same cartridge mold for different concentrates.

Depending on the configuration of the activator can be provided that this can be brought into an operating state in which concentrate is discharged together with water or in a rinsing state, in which prior to removal of the cartridge and after operation, the mixing chamber and / or the nozzle opening for the Concentrate will be rinsed. In addition to the cartridge according to the invention, the invention also provides a mixing device for a manually operated device for spraying water, in which an additive is introduced, wherein the admixing device is characterized in that the water supply line comprises a check valve. This check valve may be formed as a safety valve. In one embodiment of the invention, in which a connection of the admixing device according to the invention takes place directly to a water connection, a so-called backflow preventer is advantageously provided, which serves to prevent contaminated water from entering the water supply line with the admixture.

In order to ensure a constant pressure before the throttle opening from the water supply side and in the pressure-wise connected to the water supply side cartridge and thus the inner container, the admixing device is equipped with a pressure regulator or pressure limiter in a first embodiment. The pressure regulator or pressure limiter is designed so that at the water supply side, an operating pressure in the range of 1 bar to 3 bar, preferably 1, 2 bar to 2.2 bar is present, regardless of which pressure prevails, for example, in the pressure vessel to the Pressure water supply line is connected.

In addition to the cartridge and the water mixing device, the invention also provides a manually operated device for spraying water into which an admixture is mixed. This device is characterized in that an admixing device according to the invention is introduced with a cartridge according to the invention between a spray pipe and a water supply line, preferably a pressurized water supply line.

The water connection may preferably be connected either to the water network or to a portable pressure vessel. If a connection to the water network is provided, then the water mixing device can with the

Cartridge, for example, be part of a conventional garden hose system, such as is used for irrigating the garden. For example, the Wasserzumischvorrichtung between the garden hose and a blasting unit with the water is discharged, be introduced.

Description of the invention

The invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments without limitation thereto.

Show it:

Fig. 1a, a first embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, which is inserted in a Zumischvorrichtung.

Fig. 1b - d, a second developed embodiment of a cartridge, which is used in a Zumischvorrichtung.

Fig. 1e-g a third further developed embodiment of a cartridge, which is used in a Zumischvorrichtung.

Fig. 1h top view of a trained as a push-button mixing head housing

2 shows the installation of a mixing device according to the invention in a hand-operated device for spraying mixed with an additive water.

3 shows an embodiment of a hand-operated device for

Spraying mixed with an additive water, wherein a pressure vessel is provided.

FIG. 1 a shows a mixing device 1 which has a thread 3.

In the thread 3 is detachable via a screw 5, an outer container the cartridge 100 of the invention receives introduced. The cartridge is thus detachably connected to the admixing device 1. The cartridge 100 comprises an outer housing 110 and a pressure-sensitive inner container 120. The pressure-sensitive inner container 120 receives in its interior the spray or the additive or concentrate. The pressure-sensitive inner container is formed in the illustrated embodiment of a compressible material. The compressible material of the inner container 120 may be, for example, a plastic or a rubber-elastic material. Furthermore, the cartridge has a first inlet 130 which when connecting the cartridge with the admixing device with a

Water outlet 7 of the admixing device is connected. If water flows in, for example, the pressurized water supply line of the admixing device, not shown, water is introduced into the intermediate space 142 between the inner wall of the outer container 110 and the pressure-sensitive inner container 120 via the connection of the water line 7 and the water inlet opening 30. When water penetrates into the intermediate space 142 between the outer housing 110 and inner container 120, the material of the inner container 120 is compressed until the same pressure prevails in the interior of the inner container and in the intermediate space 140 between inner container and outer container. This serves to dispense concentrate or spraying agent from the inner container via a nozzle with a nozzle opening 140 into the mixing chamber 150. The nozzle opening 140 is also referred to as a concentrate outlet port. The mixing chamber 150 is part of the cartridge 100 itself in contrast to the known from the prior art embodiments in which the mixing chamber is part of the mixing device or the mixing head. In the

Mixing chamber 150, which has an inlet opening designed as a throttle, water from the water line 9 of the admixing device is guided into the mixing chamber 150. Due to the design as a throttle with a throttle opening 160 is achieved that due to the pressure difference of the throttle there is a certain pressure gradient; There is thus a high pressure at the inlet side of the throttle and thus in the pressure vessel and a lower pressure at the outlet side of the throttle and thus in the region of the outlet opening or Nozzle opening 140. Due to this pressure difference between the pressure at the nozzle opening 140 and at the inner container 120 of the cartridge, a certain concentration of spray agent or concentrate is then discharged from the inner container 120. Depending on the concentrate, the throttle opening can be adjusted, in particular so chosen, so that an optimum concentration of spray agent or concentrate is discharged via the outlet opening or nozzle opening 140.

The mixing of the spray is carried out as described in the mixing chamber via the outlet opening 140th

The nozzle orifice may in turn be selected according to the spray or concentrate to be introduced in order to achieve optimum delivery of spray into the water in conjunction with the pressure drop determined by the throttle.

In particular, it is possible by the choice of the nozzle diameter and the throttle diameter, to set the concentration at which the spray is added to the water. This means that different nozzle openings and throttle openings are required for different spraying means, since different spraying agents in different concentrations are used for an optimal effect, e.g. must be mixed with water for pest control. Since the mixing chamber is part of the cartridge, different mixing chambers can be used for different spraying or substances to be introduced, which are always designed so that optimal concentrate delivery and optimal mixing is guaranteed.

The mixture mixed in the mixing chamber 150 is discharged via an outlet port 170 to the mixing pipe 11 of the mixing device 1.

The mixing chamber 150 of the cartridge can be closed with a closure, not shown, so that from the nozzle opening unintentionally spray or concentrate can escape. With the help of the closure, a leak-free and child-safe storage, for example, a half-full cartridge is guaranteed.

The mixing device 1 itself comprises, as described above, a solvent line, for example a water line 9 and a mixture line 11. The mixing chamber 150 is part of the cartridge 100. The mixing device further comprises in the water supply line 9, a check valve 20. With the help of a non-illustrated Rückflussverhinders can be prevented that mixture penetrates into a not shown to the mixing device 1, connected water supply, and so contaminated, for example, when connected to the domestic water supply the drinking water itself.

In order to achieve a constant over a longer period concentration of the discharged mixture, in a possible embodiment of the invention, a pressure control device, which is presently designed as a pressure valve 30 is provided. By the pressure valve is independently of the pressure prevailing in the pressure water supply pressure an operating pressure in the region of the water pipe 9 and thus the input side of the throttle opening 160 and set in the cartridge itself. This operating pressure is between 1, 0 and 3 bar. Through the opening of the throttle then the pressure drop and thus the pressure difference, which is present at the nozzle opening of the cartridge defined, which in turn determines the emitted concentration of the spray.

Furthermore, the admixing device comprises two threaded pieces 30,40. To the threaded piece 30 can be connected, for example, a pressurized water supply, not shown, are connected to the threaded part 40, for example, a spray pipe, with which the mixture can be applied.

FIGS. 1b to 1d show a second embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, which can be used in a mixing device 1001, which is also referred to as a mixing head for short. Compared to the cartridge shown in Figure 1a, the cartridge shown in Figures 1b to 1d, a variety of preferred embodiments. The cartridge shown here is constructed in two parts from a cartridge component 1000 and an activator 3000. The activator is essentially an axially movable part in a wall 3017, which has an inlet opening for the

Solvent and the outlet port 1140 for concentrate, the mixing chamber 1150 and a further outlet opening for the concentrate / solvent mixture comprises. The same components as in FIG. 1a are marked with reference numerals increased by 1000. In the present embodiment, the outer container of the cartridge component coincides with the outer housing 1100. Within the outer housing 1100 as shown in Fig. 1a, an inner container, not shown, made of an elastic material, which receives a certain concentration of the spray introduced.

In order to be able to better control the metering performance, the throttle opening has now been configured as an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a. The throttle opening is designated by reference numeral 1160 and consists of millings 2002 in the axial direction in an upper end part 2000 of the cartridge component 1000. The upper end part 2000 of the cartridge component is connected to a so-called activator 3000. The activator 3000 receives a needle 3010 having an exit opening 1140. From the exit port 1140, spray medium enters the mixing chamber 1150 from the pressurized spray container in the cartridge component 1000, as indicated by the arrow 3012. The mixing chamber is formed in the present case in the activator, which is associated with the cartridge and not the admixing or the mixing head. Alternatively, cartridge and activator could also be integrally formed. On the part of the throttle 3160, pure solvent, here in particular water, is fed to the mixing chamber along the arrows 3016, which mixes with the spray agent added in the mixing chamber 1150 along the part 3012. The mixture of water or solvent and spray or the chemical substances contained in the cartridge occurs along the arrow 3018 at an outlet opening 1170 in the line 1011 a. The supply of water takes place via the water inlet opening 1030 along the arrow 3020. The pressure regulating device, which reduces the pressure prevailing in the admixing device or the mixing head to an operating pressure in the region of the throttle on the input side, is marked 1032. As mentioned above, it is advantageous for the invention that the

Throttle opening 1160 is milled as an axially extending cut in the cover part 2000 of the cartridge component or are. The size of the milled slots defines the channel diameter and thus the throttle opening. As previously described, it is through the choice of throttle opening, i. H. the cross section of the groove formed from the milling and the diameter of the

Nozzle opening 1140 of needle 3010 allows to adjust the concentration at which the concentrate or spray is added to the water supplied from side 1030. In order to prevent water from flowing into the mixing chamber 1150 in the non-milled area, a seal 3520 is provided between the lid part 2000 of the cartridge and the axial component 3500 in a two-part embodiment of the invention.

In order to enable a storage when the cartridge component 1000 is removed, in which certainly no conductive connection is formed between the container filled with spray or concentrate within the cartridge component 1000 and the nozzle opening 1140, an axially movable member or plunger 3600 is provided in the present invention, where the needle 3010 is attached. The plunger 3600 is movable in the axial direction within the activator 3017. The wall 3017 is preferably part of a preferably rotationally symmetrical sleeve, in which the likewise preferred rotationally symmetrical component 3600 can move axially. For this purpose, a piston which is assigned to the admixing device or the mixing head 1001 presses the plunger 3600 downwards with the aid of the component 3500, in this case the underside 3502, ie in the direction of the arrow 3610. The piston 3700 acts on the outside of the component 3500 Plunger 3600 is preferably made of a rubber-elastic material and thus fulfills a sealing function. In its interior, a channel 3620 is provided to the needle 3010. In the channel 3620 enters from the spray container in the cartridge via milled 3622 along the arrow 3624 spray or concentrate. As shown in Figure 1c, this conductive connection between the nozzle opening 1140 and the spray container in the cartridge 1000 is only released when the plunger 3600, as shown in Figure 1b, is held down. If the plunger 3600 is in the upper position, as shown in FIG. 1c, the plunger seals the inlet via the cutouts 3622. When the cartridge component 1000 is withdrawn, spraying agent can not then reach the area of the exit opening 1140. In this way it is prevented that during storage, the outlet opening of the activator or the mixing chamber is glued or gummy by spray residue or concentrate residues.

In Figure 1c, a system as shown in Figure 1b is shown, but with the plunger 3600 in the "non-operating position" by no force exerted on the top of the axial member 3500 by means of the piston 3700. In the "not Operating position "there is no conductive connection via the recesses 3622 in the wall of the cartridge component 1000 with the lying in the plunger channel 3620. Thus, the cartridge member 1000 is closed to the outside. If the activator is designed as a separate component, it can be stored separately, since no more conductive connection between the

Outlet 1140 of the mixing chamber 1150 and the interior of the spray container consists. It is then also possible to provide different activators with different outlet openings 1140 for different concentrates.

The cartridge can be pulled down in the direction of arrow 4000. This is described in detail in FIG. 1d.

Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 1c that the axial component 3500 of the activator 3000 is brought by the plunger 3600 into a position in which the outlet opening 1170 of the admixing device 1001 is closed by the ribs 4010 on the axial component 3500. This way you can Backflow of the spray-water mixture or concentrate-water mixture from the line 1011 can be prevented when the cartridge component is withdrawn with spray in the direction of 4000.

In the present invention, the cartridge component 1000 and the

Aktivator 3000 a component, which is referred to as a cartridge, assigned, which is preferably formed in two parts. Alternatively, the cartridge component and activator could also form a one-piece component. The assignment of cartridge and activator to a common component results from the fact that yes for each spray or concentrate individually the nozzle opening and the throttle opening must be selected to ensure optimum metering. The other component is the so-called mixing head or the admixing device 1001. The mixing head comprises the pressure valve 1032, the inlet 1030 and the outlet 1011 for the mixture and in particular the piston 3700, the axial component 3500 of the activator 3000 in the axial direction with inserted cartridge component moved to release the spray solution. In a particular embodiment it can be provided that when the cartridge component is removed, the mixing head is closed by a lid, so that the device is functional even when the cartridge component is removed, for example. Water via the opening 1030 of a pressure vessel in a spray tube 1200 connected to the outlet opening 1011 can be transported.

FIG. 1d shows further details of the cartridge shown in FIGS. 1b and 1c with the admixing device 1001. In particular, FIG. 1 d shows how the cartridge component is connected to the housing of the mixing head and how the activator 3000 can be rotated into different positions. The same components as in FIGS. 1b and 1c are identified by the same reference numerals.

The mixing head housing is designated by reference numeral 5000. As can be clearly seen, the mixing head housing has a projection 5010 and the cartridge 1000 has a projection 5020. Will now be in the range of Pressure points 5030 pressure on the housing 5000 exerted in the direction of arrow P, the housing acts as a spring and a force F occurs, whereby the projection 5010 of the mixing head housing moves in the direction of the arrow P and thus release the cartridge.

Furthermore, the mixing head housing optionally includes a rotary knob 6000 which converts a rotary motion into an axial movement for moving the piston 3700. The piston 3700 is moved by the axial movement of the knob 6000 in a position in which the activator is spent as shown and in Figure 1b also described in the operating position, d. H. the plunger 3600 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 1b.

If the rotary knob is moved into a rinsing position or a change position, the piston is raised and the ram is brought into the position shown in FIG. 1c. Due to the fact that the plunger 3600 is in the raised position, there is no longer any conductive connection between the nozzle opening 1140 and the spray container. As before, however, with the cartridge inserted, as shown in FIG. 1 b, water can flow into the mixing chamber 1150 via the throttle opening 1160. This makes you for a flushing of the mixing head to use. By flushing all contaminants can be discharged from the mixing head. The plunger is raised due to the existing operating pressure in the spray container, if no counterforce can be applied to hold down by the piston. After release of the cartridge component by pressure loading of the mixing housing in the area of the pressure points 5020, the cartridge component can be pulled down.

If the cartridge component 1000 is pulled down, the outlet opening 1170 of the admixing device 1001 shown in FIGS. 1 b and 1 c is closed. In this way, a back flow of the spray-water mixture from the line 1011 can be prevented when the cartridge component with spray in direction 4000 as shown in Fig. 1c, is withdrawn. With the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1b to 1d of a mixing head and a cartridge consisting of cartridge component and activator which has been improved compared to embodiment 1a with numerous additional features, a bearing is possible with respect to the embodiment in FIG can not occur because there is no conductive connection between the nozzle opening and the spray container in the storage condition. Furthermore, the solution according to FIGS. 1b to 1d is distinguished by the fact that the throttle openings are channel openings which permit a precise setting in terms of their diameter. The outlet openings are in the form of a needle and are in their

Diameter determined more precisely as in the embodiment of Figure 1a. In this way an exact dosage is possible as well as a safe storage.

In particular, a rinsing of the mixing chamber before storage is possible to rinse out spray residue.

A third further developed embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1e to 1g.

The same components as in the embodiment of FIG. 1b - d are marked with increased by 10000 reference numerals.

Compared with the cartridge illustrated in FIGS. 1b-d, the cartridge illustrated in FIGS. 1e-g has a multiplicity of additional configurations. The essential embodiment is that the activator 13000 is designed such that in the position of the activator 13000 in the entry of concentrate is prevented in the mixing chamber, a conductive connection is provided with the both the mixing chamber as well as the needle or cannula, for example can be rinsed with water. In the present embodiment according to FIG. 1e-g, the outer container of the cartridge component coincides with the outer housing 11100. Within the outer housing is, as shown in Figures 1f1 and 1g1, an inner container 11002 made of an elastic material, which receives a certain concentration of the concentrate, for example, the rinsing agent, introduced. By compressing the elastic material, the concentrate received in the inner container 1002 is discharged via the needle 13010.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 1e, the inlet 11162 of water into the activator component in the present case is formed from milling cuts 12002 in the axial direction into an upper end part 12000 of the cartridge component 11000. In the present case, the upper end part 12000 of the cartridge component rests against the so-called activator 13000. The activator 13000 receives a needle 13010 having an exit port 13140. From the exit port 13140, the pressurized inner container 11002 in the cartridge member 11000 exits

Concentrate or spray into the mixing chamber 11150, if there is a conductive connection between the inner container 11002 and the needle 13010. In the case shown in FIG. 1e, the concentrate or spraying agent entering through the inner container opening 20000 from the inner container 11002 into the outer space 20002 can not flow to the concentrate inlet opening 20004 of the activator 13000, since the outer space 20002 passes through a first seal 20006 serving as an O-ring may be formed, is sealed. Here, the first seal 20006 bears against a stop 20008. Since the second seal 20010 is applied to the activator 13000 at the center of a water inlet port 20012, the water flow supplied through the water inlet port 20012 becomes one

Mixed chamber rinse stream 20014 and a needle rinse stream 20016 split. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1b to 1d, the embodiment according to FIG. 1e has the advantage that both the mixing chamber 11150 and the needle 13010 can be rinsed after the system has been put out of action, ie. H. no spray or concentrate in the

Mixing chamber with water was mixed more. This will ensure that the needle does not protrude through the needle during prolonged storage remaining concentrate is sealed, for example, glued or resinated and is no longer suitable for reuse.

The mixing chamber 11150 is formed in the present case in the activator 13000, but which is associated with the cartridge and not the admixing device or the mixing head 11001. Alternatively cartridge and activator could also be integrally formed. Via the throttle opening 11160, pure solvent, here in particular water, is fed to the mixing chamber along the arrows 13016, which mixes with the concentrate or spray agent added via the needle 13140 in the operating state as shown in FIGS. 1g1 and 1g2 in the mixing chamber 11150. The mixture of water or solvent and concentrate or the chemical substances contained in the cartridge enters the outlet line 11011 along an arrow 13018 at an outlet opening 11170. The supply of water is via the water inlet opening 11030 along the arrow 13020. The pressure control device, which reduces the pressure prevailing in the mixing device or the mixing head to an operating pressure in the region of the throttle opening 11116 is marked 11032. By being able to select the size of the throttle opening 11160 and the size of the diameter of the nozzle opening 13140 of the needle 13010, it is possible, as described above, to adjust the concentration at which the spray or concentrate is supplied to the water or solvent via line 11030 , is mixed. Since the throttle opening 11160 is formed here as a bore, the hole can be made very easily for different concentrates or spraying, in particular in the required accuracy with low production costs. This is an advantage over the embodiment as shown in Figures 1b-1d where the size of the solvent inlet port is determined by the size of the mill slot 2002.

The adjustment of the activator component 13000 between the non-operating state, ie no spray agent or concentrate is supplied to the mixing chamber, as shown in FIG. 1e, as in the preceding embodiments 1b to 1d, an axially movable component, for example a pusher 13600, on which the needle 13010 is attached, is used. Within the Aktivatorbauteils 13000. At the upper end of the axially movable member or plunger 13600 is an outer surface 13500. In the illustrated non-operating state according to Figure 1e acts on the outer surface 13500 no force, so that due to a hydrodynamic restoring force or the restoring force of Spring 21000 of the plunger 13600 is in the illustrated non-operating state, which allows purging of both the mixing chamber and the needle. If the axial component of the activator 13000 is to be brought into an operating position, as shown in FIGS. 1g1 to 1g2, an axially movable piston 13700, the admixing device or the mixing head 11001 presses on the outer surface 13500.

By one of the admixing unit associated rotary head 16000, which converts a rotary movement into an axial movement for moving the piston 13700, the piston 13700 is either moved to a position in which the activator as shown in Figure 1e, is not in the operating state or on the axially movable component 13600 of the activator acts and, as shown in FIGS. 1g1 to 1g2, spends the activator component into the operating state.

In FIGS. 1f1, the cartridge component 11000 with associated terminating component and the activator 13000 arranged in the terminating component are shown for the system shown in FIG. 1e. Fig. 1f1 shows this overall system, wherein the activator is found in the spray position of Fig. 1e. As clearly shown in FIG. 1f1, the mixing chamber 11150 in the activator component 13000 is assigned and not to the mixing head not shown in FIG. 1f1.

Fig. 1f1 shows the overall system, wherein the cartridge component 11000 has an outer wall 11003 or an outer housing and an inner container 11002 made of an elastic material. The interior 11005 of the inner container receives the concentrate or the spray. A conductive connection between the inner space 11005 of the inner container in which the concentrate is stored and the activator 13000 forms the inner container opening 20000.

The activator component in the non-operating state as shown in Fig. 1e, 1f1 is shown in detail in Fig. 1f2. The same components as in Figs. 1e to 1f1 bear the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1f2 in the axial direction along the arrow 20050 movable member is shown in detail, which is also referred to as a ram 13600. Furthermore, it can clearly be seen that a first seal 20006 of the plunger 13600 is sealed, with which the outer space 20002 of the activator is above the opening 20000 with the interior of the cartridge component and thus in a conductive connection with the concentrate. It can also be seen, the second seal 20010, with which the entry of the water supplied via the water inlet opening 20012 to the activator can be controlled. If the component is in the position shown in FIG. 1f2, the second seal 20010 is located approximately in the middle of the water inlet opening 20012. In this way, the water flowing in the direction of the arrow 13020 is split into two streams, namely a mixing chamber flushing stream 20014 and a needle flushing stream 20016. The mixing chamber purge stream 20014 flows through a throttle opening 11160 in the

Mixing chamber 11150 and rinses it. Further, the needle purging stream 20016 enters the needle 13010 via needle port 20004, flows through the needle, and exits into the mixing chamber 11150 again. From the mixing chamber 11150, the entire purge stream exits via outlet port 11111. The third seal 20060 seals the space 20062, in which the water flows from the mixing chamber.

With the position of the active component shown in FIG. 1f2, the current 13020 used for purging in the non-operating state is thus divided into two substreams in comparison to all the preceding examples. This makes it possible in addition to the mixing chamber and the needle 13010 to rinse, so that collect after use no concentrate residues in the needle and These can enforce, so that when used again due to the closed needle, the entire system fails.

In FIGS. 1g1 to 1g2, the operating position of the third embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 1e to 1g is shown. Will the illustrated in Fig. 1e

Rotary knob 16000 brought into the operating position, so the mixing head associated piston (not dargstellt), acts on the surface 13500 of the axially movable plunger or Bauteil13600 the Aktivatorbauteils 13000. The same components as in Figs. 1e to 1f2 are marked with the same reference numerals. FIG. 1g1 shows the entire cartridge with cartridge component 11000 and activator component 13000.

In the overall system shown in FIG. 1g1, it can be observed, in particular, how, by depressing plunger 13600 due to the shape of lower end 20090 of plunger 20090, opening 20000 and thus the conductive connection between cartridge inner container 11002 and space 20002 into which the concentrate originates from Inner container penetrates, is changed. The effective opening for the passage for the spraying means from the inner container 11002 is only the opening 20092 due to the lower part of the plunger 20090.

As previously explained, by varying the aperture for both the entry of solvents, for example, water into the mixing chamber and the opening 20000 for the entry of concentrate into the mixing space via the needle 13010, the optimum concentration can be set for each individual spray. As can be seen from FIG. 1g1, this is simply possible for the embodiment of the system illustrated in FIGS. 1e to 1g2, in that for different spraying agents or concentrates, the underside 20090 of the plunger 13600 is varied in diameter D. The diameter D of the plunger is always smaller than the diameter of the opening 20000. By the difference of the opening diameter of the opening 20000 and diameter D of the plunger

13600 determine the effective passage opening 20092 depending on the concentrate from the inner container 11102 in the activator realized now for different By means of different diameters D of the plunger, it is thus possible to set the effective passage opening 20092 individually for each concentrate.

In Fig. 1g2 again the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in Fig. 1e - 1g1. The axially movable component 13600 in the activator, the so-called ram, is brought into the operating position by pressing down on the surface 13500 in FIG. 1g2 with the aid of the piston (not shown).

As already described with reference to FIG. 1g1, the underside 20090 of the plunger 13600 is thus moved into the region of the opening 20000 to the cartridge 11000, resulting in an effective opening 20092, which is defined by the diameter D of the plunger 13600 at the lower end. By the method of the plunger 13600, the first seal 20026 no longer abuts the stop 20008 of the activator 13000. The concentrate flowing into the space 20002 through the opening 20092 along the arrow 21002 can be seen along arrow 21002

Enter needle inlet opening 20004 and from there through the needle 13010 in the mixing chamber 11150 in which it merges with the water supplied along arrow 13020. As can be seen clearly from FIG. 1g2, the path of the water through the water inlet opening in the direction of the needle inlet opening 20004 is blocked by the second seal 20010. The water flows only in the indicated arrow direction through the throttle opening 11160 in the mixing chamber 11150. Conversely, prevents the second seal 20010 in the operating position, a mixing of the concentrate stream 21002 with water outside the mixing chamber 11150th

In Fig. 1 h is a plan view of a knob 16000 is shown, with the rotary motion of the rotary knob 16000, the rotational movement is converted into an axial movement of the piston, not shown. As can be seen from the plan view Fig. 1h, the knob has a total of 3 positions, a first position 30000, in which the cartridge can be changed. A second position 30002, which indicates the operating state, the so-called mixing operation, in which the piston is brought downwards, as shown in FIG. 1g2, and thus Concentrate with solvent, especially water is mixed, and a third position 30004, the so-called. Spülstellung, which is shown in Fig. 1.c and 1f2, in the solvent, in particular water both by needle and mixing head (Fig. 1f2) or only is passed through the mixing head (Fig. 1c) and so both mixing chamber and needle of residues of the concentrate is flushed.

In Fig. 2 there is shown an admixing device constituting a hand-operated device for spraying water blended with an additive in the form of a liquid concentrate, such as a plant protection agent. The admixing device 1 is constructed as shown in FIG. 1 a and introduced between a spray tube 200 and a manual valve 220 with a pressurized water connection 224. Further illustrated is the disposable cartridge 100 of FIG. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the disposable cartridge 100 is shown in FIG. 1 a, inserted into an outer container 105 with the cartridge outer wall 110. As shown, the outer container may be formed as a screw-in vessel 105 comprising a thread 5. If the thread 5 is screwed into the thread 3 of the admixing device and previously the cartridge with the outer wall 110 inserted into the receiving device 105, the cartridge with mixing head 150 is introduced into the admixing device, that an outlet of admixed spray is prevented. Instead of Einschraubkartusche cartridges 1000 and 11000 can be used as in Fig. 1b - 1 h. Even with the cartridges is activated only by the rotation in the mixing position (mix mode) as shown in Figure 1h.

The disposable cartridge may be designed differently for different substances, in particular comprise different mixing heads.

The manual valve 220 comprises a handle 226 via which the manual valve 220 can be actuated. The manual valve 220 is a high-speed valve that opens fully when actuated via the hand lever 226 and immediately upon release of the hand lever 226 closes. About the manual valve 220, the water inlet is released to the admixing device. The manual valve 220 may be connected via a pressure water connection 224 either directly to a pressurized water line or to a pressure vessel.

An embodiment of the invention with a pressure vessel is shown in FIG. The same components as in Figures 1a-h and 2 are assigned the same reference numerals. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the pressure vessel 300 is shown. The pressure in the pressure vessel is indicated by means of a manometer 310. The pressure vessel further comprises a manually operated one

Air pump 320, with which the pressure vessel 300 can be pressurized. The manual valve 220 and thus the admixing device 1 is connected to the pressure vessel 300 via a pressure hose 330, which in this case represents the pressurized water supply line. Although in FIGS. 2 and 3 an admixing device as shown in FIG. 1 a is used, for the

Expert without inventive step, the device according to Figure 1a by a Zumischvorrichtung as in Figures 1b - 1h to be replaced. The scope of protection also extends to the mixing devices shown in these FIGS. 1b-1h in combination with FIGS. 2 to 3.

With the present invention, a cartridge for an admixing device is specified for the first time, which is easy to replace and, in particular, always ensures optimum mixing of the spraying agent present in the cartridge into an admixing device.

Claims

claims

Cartridge for an admixing device of a hand-operated device for spraying a solvent, in particular of water, in which an additive in the form of a liquid concentrate, such as a plant protection product, is mixed

a cartridge outer casing (110, 1100, 11003, 11002); - A pressure-sensitive inner container (120) for receiving the liquid

concentrate;

- a mixing chamber (150, 1150, 11150) wherein the mixing chamber (150, 1150, 11150) means with a first outlet opening (140, 1140, 13140) for the concentrate or spray, a

Inlet opening (160, 1160, 11160), which is designed as a throttle, for the solvent or water and a second outlet opening (170, 1170, 11170) for the concentrate / solvent mixture.

2. Cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge comprises an activator component (3000, 13000) and a cartridge component (100, 1000, 11000).

3. A cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the activator (3000, 13000) comprises an axially movable components (3600, 13600) having a conductive connection from the inner container (120, 11002) to the first outlet opening (140, 1140, 13140 ) for the concentrate or spray releases or closes.

4. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the activator has an axially movable member or plunger (3600) has a channel (3620) or a concentrate inlet opening (20004) for concentrate or spray from the inner container.

5. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the activator (13000) comprises the inlet opening for solvent, in particular water (11160).

6. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the activator (13000) has a first device, in particular seal, wherein the first device, in particular seal in an inlet position in which a conductive connection from the inner container (11002) Mixing chamber is manufactured and a

Locking position in which the conductive connection from the inner container (11002) to the mixing chamber (11150) is interrupted, can be spent.

7. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the activator (13000) has a second seal

(20010), wherein the second seal is formed in a mixing position in which a conductive connection between water inlet (13020) and mixing chamber (11150) and in a flushing position, in which a conductive connection between water inlet (13020) and mixing chamber (11150) and water inlet and concentrate inlet port (20004), on the other hand, can be spent.

8. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the activator (13000) comprises a needle (13010).

9. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the axially movable member (13600) comprises an outer surface (13500).

10. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the mixing chamber (1150) part of the activator

(3500) is.

11. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the inlet opening (1160) is formed by an axially extending milled recess.

12. Cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the inlet opening is a bore (11160).

13. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the inlet opening (160, 1160, 11160) has a size or a diameter, wherein the diameter in the range 1 mm to 3 mm, preferably 1, 2 mm to 2 , 5 mm, more preferably 1, 4 mm to 1, 9 mm.

14. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first outlet opening (140, 1140, 13140) has a nozzle diameter, or needle diameter, in the range 0.1 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.1 mm to 1 mm, completely more preferably 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, particularly preferably 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm.

15. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cartridge is introduced into an outer container (105) which is detachably connectable to the admixing device.

16. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the pressure-sensitive inner container comprises a compressible material.

17. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cartridge component (100, 1000, 11000) has a wall (3017, 13017), which may be part of a sleeve in which the axially movable member (3600) moved axially.

18.Zumischvorrichtung for a hand-operated device for spraying water, in which an additive in the form of liquid concentrate, such as

Crop protection agent is mixed with a cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 17.

19.Zumischvorrichtung according to claim 18, characterized in that the admixing device a piston (3700,

13700).

20. proportioning device according to claim 19, characterized in that the piston spends the axially movable member (3600, 13600) in at least two positions for opening and closing a conductive connection to the first outlet opening (140, 1140, 13140).

21. Zumischvorrichtung according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the admixing device with the cartridge is detachably connectable.

22. Zumischvorrichtung according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the admixing device comprises a pressure control unit.

23.Zumischvorrichtung according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the admixing device comprises a check valve (20).

24.Zumischvoπϊchtung according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the admixing a water pipe (9) with a

Water line inlet opening comprises and a first and second water line outlet opening.

25. Zumischvorrichtung according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the admixing device comprises a mixture line (11) having a mixture inlet opening and a Gemischauslassöffnung.

26. Admixing device according to one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the water supply inlet opening is designed such that it can be detachably connected to a pressurized water supply line (330).

The proportioning device according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the mixture outlet port is formed to be detachably connectable to a spray pipe (200).

28. Hand-operated device for spraying water, in which an additive in the form of a liquid concentrate, such as a plant protection agent, mixed, consisting of a dispensing device, in particular a spray tube (200) with a spray nozzle and a pressurized water connection, wherein between the

Pressure water connection and the dispensing device, a mixing device (1) according to one of claims 18 to 27 is arranged.

29. Hand-operated device according to claim 28, wherein between the pressurized water connection and admixing device, a manual valve (220) is arranged, which is preferably designed as a fully open when actuated quick-closing valve.

30. A hand-operated device according to any one of claims 28 to 29, wherein the pressurized water connection (300) with a water network or a portable pressure vessel (300) is connectable.