US-12616982-B2 - Sprayers having increased fine droplet transfer efficiency

US12616982B2US 12616982 B2US12616982 B2US 12616982B2US-12616982-B2

Abstract

A fine particle sprayer including a nozzle for dispersing a liquid disinfectant into a spray plume of droplets and a means for directing pressurized air below the spray plume to increase droplet transfer efficiency, and above and around the spray plume to prevent errant droplets from drifting toward an operator. A sprayer system includes a sprayer, a housing, and a blower that may be removably attached to the sprayer for generating an air stream below the droplets to improve droplet transfer efficiency.

Inventors

Nick E. Ciavarella
Mark S. Kacik

Assignees

GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220614

Claims (8)

1 . A fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface, comprising: a reservoir for holding a disinfectant fluid; a pump for pumping the disinfectant fluid; an applicator; a fluid dispensation conduit extending from the pump to the applicator; the applicator having; a housing; a liquid outlet nozzle; an air moving device configured to blow or pump air; a first air passageway from the air moving device to a first air outlet; wherein the first air outlet is at least partially cylindrical; wherein air flowing from the air moving device to the first air outlet forms at least a partial cylindrical air stream; wherein the at least a partial cylindrical air stream exits the first air outlet at a first speed; wherein the at least partial cylindrical air stream is located around a periphery of the housing; wherein the at least partial cylindrical air stream is located away from the liquid outlet nozzle, such that the at least partial cylindrical air stream does not contact the fluid at the time the fluid is pumped out of the liquid outlet nozzle; further comprising a second air passageway having a second air outlet, wherein the air moving device directly moves a second airstream out of the second air outlet; wherein the second air stream enters a second air inlet; wherein the second air outlet has a larger cross-sectional area than the second air inlet; and wherein the second air outlet is located between the first air outlet and the liquid outlet nozzle.
2 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein the housing is cylindrical.
3 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein the at least a partial cylindrical air stream is located below the fluid as the fluid is pumped out of the liquid outlet nozzle.
4 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 further comprising a baffle, wherein the baffle narrows the cross-sectional area of the first air passageway in the direction of flow and cause air flowing through the first air passageway to accelerate.
5 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein a baffle is configured to cause a Coanda effect on the first air.
6 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 2 further comprising a baffle, wherein the baffle expands the cross-sectional area of the second air passageway in the direction of flow and cause air flowing through the second air passageway to decelerate.
7 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 further comprising baffles for conditioning air flowing therethrough to reduce air turbulence, wherein the baffles extend longitudinally along a fluid flow path.
8 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein the air moving device comprises a first air moving device for moving air through the first air passage and a second air moving device for moving air through the second air passage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS The present invention claims priority to, and the benefits of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/211,593, filed on Jun. 17, 2021 and titled SPRAYERS HAVING INCREASED FINE DROPLET TRANSFER EFFICIENCY, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to fine particulate sprayers having increased fine droplet or aerosol droplet transfer efficiency, and more particularly, to disinfectant sprayers and sprayer systems that are configured to use directed air streams to increase droplet transfer efficiency. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disinfectant sprayers are utilized to sanitize surfaces (e.g., tabletops, chairs, handles, equipment and the like) by dispensing a liquid disinfectant comprised of a mist of fine fluid particles and fine droplets onto the surface for killing bacteria, viruses, and other germs that may be on the surface. Such sprayers commonly utilize a pump for driving a liquid disinfectant from a fluid reservoir to an applicator (e.g., a wand). Such sprayers also typically include a nozzle that is configured to atomize the liquid disinfectant into a spray plume or mist of droplets that are directed toward a target surface. When spraying in close proximity to a target surface, droplets discharged from the sprayer may be carried off target by local recirculating currents and vortices in the flow, and/or bounce back from the surface, thereby back from the surface, thereby exposing an operator to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with chemicals used in the liquid disinfectant formula. When operating at a greater distance from the target surface, in addition to being carried off target by local recirculating currents and vortices, some droplets may fall to a ground surface, thereby decreasing the droplet transfer efficiency to the desired surface. High pressure, air assisted sprayers have been used for increasing droplet transfer efficiency by directing a high-pressure air stream into the spray plume for projecting the droplets toward the target surface. However, high-pressure, air assisted sprayers are not suitable for certain applications, such as, for example, those that utilize a liquid disinfectant that is susceptible to drying out (e.g., alcohol-based disinfectants). In addition, imparting high-pressure air directly into the spray plume may diminish a droplet's dwell time on the target surface, respectively, by, for example, reducing the size of the droplet (due to evaporation) before it reaches the target surface and is not practical in office environments due to noise, capacity etc. Additionally, in some applications, operating at a greater distance from a target surface may cause some droplets to become errant and drift toward an operator, such as, for example, when a smaller, lighter droplet becomes mobilized by vortices or eddies that are created by the interaction between the spray plume and the surrounding, stagnant air and/or the front end of a sprayer. Often, an operator will utilize one sprayer for spraying surfaces in close proximity (e.g., tabletops, poles, chairs), and a different sprayer to spray down larger surfaces (e.g., a vertical wall) from a greater distance. Changing out sprayers creates downtime and increases equipment carrying costs, i.e., maintaining two sprayers versus one. For example, a janitorial staff member may have to walk to a remote storage area (e.g., a closet) in a hospital, school, or other large institution to obtain a sprayer that is suitable for the particular application. Applicant has appreciated the need for a portable and cost-effective means of utilizing a sprayer that is versatile for a variety of applications, increases droplet transfer efficiency, and minimizes the possibility of VOC exposure to an operator. SUMMARY Exemplary embodiments of fine droplet sprayers are disclosed herein. An exemplary fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface includes a reservoir for holding a disinfectant fluid, a pump for pumping the disinfectant fluid an applicator and a fluid dispensation conduit extending from the pump to the applicator. The applicator includes a housing, a liquid outlet nozzle, an air moving device, and a first air passageway from the air moving device to a first air outlet. The first air outlet is at least partially cylindrical. Air flowing from the air moving device to the first air outlet forms at least a partial cylindrical air stream. The at least a partial cylindrical air stream exits the first air outlet at a first speed. The at least partial cylindrical air stream is located around a periphery of the housing; and the at least partial cylindrical air stream is located away from the liquid outlet nozzle, such that the at least partial cylindrical air stream does not contact the fluid at the time the fluid is pumped out of the liquid outlet nozzle. Another fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surf