EP0072746A2 - Hand held spraygun for dispersing a plant treatment liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to various improvements to a hand lance for spraying a liquid. According to one of these improvements, a tubular filter 5 is immobilized in a tubular handle 1 by a cap nut 2; the base 5a of the filter being secured to a rigid tube 10 connected to the flexible supply pipe 9; after disassembly of the nut 2, the filter 5 is easily accessible for cleaning. The invention is particularly applicable to the spraying of a plant treatment liquid.

Description

The present invention relates to a hand lance for spraying a plant treatment liquid.

For this application, hand lances are already known, each comprising, at the end of a flexible liquid supply pipe, a rigid handle, which is provided with an inlet valve and a trigger for control of this valve, and which is extended by rigid tube, carrying at its end a spray head.

A filter should generally be provided upstream of the spray head of such hand lances; experience has shown that this filter clogs fairly quickly; however, in hand lances of this type, which have been produced so far, cleaning the filter is a long and difficult operation, since it requires the disassembly of several elements; this is the case in particular when the filter is disposed, in a known manner, at the connection between the reservoir of pressurized liquid on the one hand, and the corresponding end of the flexible hose supplying the lance, on the other hand go.

Hand lances of this known type are also not entirely satisfactory from the point of view of the possibilities which they offer for orienting the spray head relative to the axial direction of the lance, in particular of its rigid tube. In a previous embodiment, in particular, the spray head is pivotally mounted about an axis making an angle of 90 degrees with the rigid tube of the lance; it is therefore possible to rotate the spray head relative to the rigid tube of the lance, in principle by an angle of between minus ninety degrees and plus ninety degrees; the embodiment is however such that the spray head can only be brought in and then held in a determined angular position, relative to the rigid tube of the lance, only by two successive manipulations, one of loosening and the other of tightening of a screw. It is therefore practically impossible, or at least awkward and relatively long, to have the spray head sweep a large solid angle in front of the lance, supposedly maintained, by its user, in a fixed direction.

The present invention makes it possible to produce, for the indicated application, an improved hand lance, which does not have the various drawbacks of the hand lances produced so far, the enumeration, made above, of these various drawbacks, also not being exhaustive.

The hand lance for spraying a plant treatment liquid according to the present invention is of the type indicated above, and can be provided with this first improvement: a prismatic or cylindrical filter, one base of which is open, and the other closed by an overflowing part, traversed by the movable body of the intake valve, is immobilized in the part front of the tubular handle located on the side of the spray nozzle, by a cap nut, screwed onto said front part and provided with a tube, one end of which penetrates through the open base of the filter and carries the valve seat d inlet, its other end being used for connection with the spray head, and that a rigid nozzle, extending the flexible supply pipe inside the tubular handle, is integral with the base part of the filter, so to open into an annular chamber between, on the one hand, the wall of the filter and, on the other hand, the internal walls of the tubular handle, and possibly of the cap nut.

Thanks to this arrangement, the filter of the hand lance according to the present invention, which is housed in the front part of the tubular handle of said lance, can be easily cleaned, since it is possible to easily access it by unscrewing the 'cap nut which immobilizes it in said front part of the tubular handle; in fact, when said cap nut has been removed, it suffices to clean the filter by removing it from the open front part of the tubular handle, in particular by pushing it outwards via flexible supply hose, and the rigid end piece which extends it, and which is integral with the base of the filter. The reverse operations allow the easy and quick replacement of the cleaned filter, which never risks being lost since it is inseparable from the rigid nozzle.

In a preferred embodiment of the hand lance according to the present invention, the various parts housed in the tubular handle are dimensioned so that the cylindrical or prismatic filter is normally engaged over only a fraction of its length in the front part of said handle. This arrangement further facilitates the extraction of the filter from the handle. tubular, by the manipulations previously indicated, but, in addition, it allows access to the filter after the only removal of the cap nut, since then said filter protrudes, over a more or less significant fraction of its length, beyond the open end of the front part of the tubular handle; in this position of the filter, still partially engaged in the tubular handle, it is indeed possible to carry out rapid cleaning of said filter, which may be sufficient in particular when it is not very dirty.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the control trigger, articulated on the part of the movable body of the intake valve, which is external to the filter, can project out of the tubular handle through a longitudinal slot, having a sufficient length to allow said trigger to be optionally engaged over its entire length inside the handle. This arrangement makes it possible to prevent the trigger, articulated on the movable body of the intake valve, from obstructing the movement towards the outside of the assembly formed by the filter, its base, the movable body of the intake valve, the trigger, the flexible supply pipe and the rigid end piece which extends it, and does not even prevent the at least partial exit of this assembly, outside the tubular handle.

According to another advantageous improvement according to the invention, the control trigger may have, in front of its articulation on the body of the valve, an extension cooperating with a fixed ramp arranged so that, when traction is applied manually to said trigger, said ramp guides its extension so that its articulation exerts on said valve body an overdrive traction which is sufficient to overcome the force of an automatic reclosing spring of said valve, and produce the opening of the latter. Preferred Rence also, the ramp comprises a latching element, ensuring the temporary blocking of the trigger in a position corresponding to the opening of said valve. In this preferred embodiment, the trigger for controlling the hand lance according to the present invention therefore allows, in addition to temporary openings, of controlled durations, of the intake valve, its permanent opening, obtained by bringing the trigger into a determined position.

According to another improvement of the hand lance according to the present invention, the spray head is pivotally mounted about a first axis, making with the axis of the extension of the handle, an angle α less than 60 degrees, preferably a angle α = 30 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the support of the pivoting spray head is itself pivotally mounted about a second axis, coinciding with that of the extension of the handle and the assembly is dimensioned so that the mean direction of the jet is inclined by the same angle OC on the first pivot axis of said head.

In the case of this latter embodiment, the axis of the jet leaving the spray head makes an angle 2 OC, for example 60 degrees, with the axis of the extension of the handle, so that, by pivoting the entire spray head around its first pivot axis - inclined by 30 degrees on the axis of the extension - the surface of a cone of revolution with an angle at the top equal to 60 can be swept by said jet degrees; by also rotating the entire spray head around the second axis, that is to say the axis of the extension, it becomes possible to sweep the entire jet of a solid angle defined by a cone of revolution around the axis of the extension and an angle at the top equal to 4 α = 120 degrees.

• La figure 1 est une vue, en coupe par un plan axial, de la poignée d'une lance à main selon la présente invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe partielle, illustrant l'extraction du filtre hors de la poignée tubulaire représentée sur la figure 1.
• Les figures 3 et 4 montrent respectivement deux positions actives différentes de la gâchette de commande dont est munie la poignée des figures 1 et 2.
• Les figures 5, 6, 8 et 11 représentent quatre formes de réalisation différentes de la tête de pulvérisation d'une lance à main selon la présente invention, chacune en coupe par un plan axial.
• Les figures 7, 9 et 12 sont des vues de face des embouts des têtes de pulvérisation illustrées respectivement sur les figures 6, 8 et 11, après enlèvement du capuchon rotatif.
• Les figures 10 et 13 sont des vues en élévation montrant les fonds des capuchons rotatifs dont sont pourvues les têtes de pulvérisation des figures 8 et 11.

By way of examples, several embodiments of the hand lance according to the present invention have been described below and illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing.

• Figure 1 is a view, in section through an axial plane, of the handle of a hand lance according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view, illustrating the extraction of the filter from the tubular handle shown in FIG. 1.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show two different active positions of the control trigger with which the handle of FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided.
• Figures 5, 6, 8 and 11 show four different embodiments of the spray head of a hand lance according to the present invention, each in section through an axial plane.
• Figures 7, 9 and 12 are front views of the tips of the spray heads illustrated respectively in Figures 6, 8 and 11, after removal of the rotary cap.
• FIGS. 10 and 13 are elevation views showing the bottoms of the rotary caps with which the spray heads of FIGS. 8 and 11 are provided.

In Figures 1 and 2, 1 denotes a tubular handle, for example of molded plastic, which is open at both ends; on the front end of the handle 1, that is to say its end located to the left of Figure 1, on the side of the spray head - not shown in this figure - of the hand lance, is arranged a thread la, on which can be screwed a cap nut 2, for example a nut standardized under the designation "34 gas". This cap nut 2 is provided, in its central part, with a tube, one end of which, 2a, forms a projection in the direction of the spray head; in this tubing element 2a is engaged the corresponding end of a rigid tube 3, for example aluminum, on the other end of which is mounted the spray head, which will be described later. A cap nut 4 is threaded onto the corresponding end of the rigid tube 3 and screwed onto a thread 2b, provided externally on the tubing element 2a, so as to immobilize said end of the rigid tube 3 inside said tubing 2a. In the chamber formed by the inside of the cap nut 2 and the open front part of the tubular handle 1, a filter 5 is immobilized, with a prismatic or cylindrical surface, including a base, disposed on the side of the cap nut 2, is open, while its other base, located inside the front part of the tubular handle 1, is closed by a piece 5a, of metal or plastic, which is sealed through by the movable body, in the form of a piston, 6a, of an intake valve. The whole of the filtering wall and the base 5a of the filter 5 can be constituted for example by a single piece of molded plastic. The base 5a of the filter protrudes on either side of its lateral filtering surface, in the form of a kind of annular flange 5b. To secure the filter, the cap nut 2 is provided on the one hand with an internal skirt-shaped element, 2c, which tightens the annular flange 5b of the base 5a of the filter 5 against an appropriate internal shoulder. , lb, of the tubular handle; the other open base of the filter 5, on the other hand, is applied when tightening of the cap nut 2 on the thread 1a of the tubular handle 1, against a bearing 2d arranged inside the cap nut 2, in a position such that there remains a narrow annular chamber, 7, between, on the one hand, the skirt-shaped element 2c, of the cap nut 2, and, on the other hand, the lateral filtering surface of the filter 5. A single annular seal, 8, ensures the sealing, relative to the outside, of the annular chamber 7 previously defined. A flexible hose for supplying treatment liquid, 9, one end of which is connected to a tank of pressurized liquid, enters, by its other end, into the rear part (on the right in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the handle tubular 1; inside said tubular handle 1, the end of the flexible pipe 9 is mounted, so as to ensure sealing, on a rigid end piece 10, which is itself integral with the base 5a of the filter 5, in particular at level of its projecting part 5b; as seen in Figure 1, the inner channel of the nozzle 10 opens through an orifice 10a in the annular chamber 7 previously defined, that is to say in the interval between the skirt-shaped element 2c , of the cap nut 2, on the one hand, and the filtering side wall of the filter 5, on the other hand.

The cap nut 2 also comprises, in the extension of its external tubing element 2a, previously mentioned, an internal tubing element, 2b, the end of which penetrates through the open base of the filter 5 and carries the seat 16b of the valve. of admission. The latter is kept normally closed, for example by an automatic reclosing spring, 11, which is engaged around the movable body 6a, in the form of a piston, and which bears, by one end, on the inner face of the base 5a of the filter. 5, and, by its other end, on a bearing arranged at the rear of the part of the movable body 6a intended to cooperate with the seat 6b.

The tubular handle 1 is further provided with a trigger for controlling the intake valve; this trigger 12 is articulated at 13 on the part of the movable body, 6a, of the intake valve, which is external to the filter 5; it can project out of the tubular handle 1 through a longitudinal slot, lc, having a sufficient length to allow said trigger 12 to be optionally engaged over its entire length inside the tubular handle l, as indicated in solid line in Figure 2, where this fully retracted position of the trigger is designated by 12C.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the trigger, 12, has, before its articulation 13 on the body of the valve, 6a, an extension 12a (FIGS. 2 to 4), which cooperates with a ramp 14, integral with the protruding base, 5a, of the filter 5. When one of the fingers of the user's hand, which carries the lance by its handle 1, pulls backwards, that is to say to the right of the different Figures 1 to 4, the trigger then in its almost vertical position, 12, corresponding to the automatic closing of the intake valve by the spring 11, said trigger pivots around its articulation 13 in the direction of the arrow f (Figure 1) , for example to a first position, inclined rearward, 12A (see in particular Figures 1 to 3); under the effect of traction, the trigger 12 is supported by its extension 12a against the fixed ramp 14, so that its articulation 13 exerted on the valve body 6a, an overdrive traction which, by overcoming the force of the automatic reclosing spring 11, caused the valve body 6a to move away from its seat 6b. When the trigger has been brought into an extreme position 12B (see in particular FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) the extension 12a of said trigger cooperates with a latching element, 14a, provided on the corresponding part of the ramp 14, and arranged to temporarily block ment said trigger in its position 12B, corresponding to the opening of the valve 6a-6b.

• Lorsque du liquide de traitement sous pression parvient dans la chambre annulaire 7, par le tuyau souple d'alimentation 9 et l'embout 10, il pénètre à l'intérieur du filtre 5 en traversant sa paroi latérale filtrante. Tant qu'aucun effort n'est exercé sur la gâchette de commande du clapet d'admission, qui occupe alors sa position 12, le liquide de traitement qui a pénétré à l'intérieur du filtre 5 ne peut pas parvenir dans le tube rigide 3. Lorsque par contre l'utilisateur fait pivoter la gâchette 12 dans le sens de la flèche f (figure 1) par exemple jusqu'à une position 12A, l'ouverture du clapet d'admission autorise le passage du liquide de traitement dans la tubulure 2b de l'écrou à chapeau 2, puis dans le tube rigide 3, avec un débit qui dépend de l'écartement entre le corps mobile 6a du clapet d'admission et son siège 6b, donc du pivotement de la gâchette à partir de sa position de fermeture 12. Si l'utilisateur relâche la gâchette à partir d'une position telle que 12A, le ressort 11 referme le clapet d'admission, ce qui interrompt la pulvérisation de liquide de traitement, et, en même temps, l'effort résultant de la détente du ressort 11 est transmis par l'articulation 13 à la gâchette de commande, de façon à ramener celle-ci dans sa position de fermeture 12. Si par contre, à partir d'une position d'ouverture telle que 12A, la gâchette est amenée dans sa position extrême 12B, elle est bloquée dans cette dernière position par la coopération de son prolongement 12a avec l'élément d'encliquetage, 14a, de la rampe 14 (figure 4), si bien que ladite gâchette s'oppose à l'effort exercé par le ressort de refermeture automatique 11; le clapet d'admission reste donc dans sa position d'ouverture, correspondant à la position 12B de la gâchette, jusqu'à ce que l'utilisateur exerce sur cette dernière une poussée dans le sens contraire de la flèche f, ladite gâchette étant ensuite ramenée dans sa position de fermeture 12 par l'action du ressort 11 dès que le prolongement 12a de ladite gâchette a cessé de coopérer avec l'élément d'encliquetage 14a.

The hand lance according to the present invention, equipped with the handle described above, operates as follows:

• When pressure treatment liquid arrives in the annular chamber 7, through the flexible supply pipe 9 and the nozzle 10, it penetrates inside the filter 5 by passing through its lateral filtering wall. As long as no force is exerted on the control trigger of the inlet valve, which then occupies its position 12, the treatment liquid which has penetrated inside the filter 5 cannot reach the rigid tube 3 When, on the other hand, the user rotates the trigger 12 in the direction of the arrow f (FIG. 1), for example to a position 12A, the opening of the intake valve authorizes the passage of the treatment liquid in the tubing 2b of the cap nut 2, then into the rigid tube 3, with a flow rate which depends on the spacing between the movable body 6a of the intake valve and its seat 6b, therefore on the pivoting of the trigger from its closed position 12. If the user releases the trigger from a position such as 12A, the spring 11 closes the inlet valve, which interrupts the spraying of treatment liquid, and, at the same time, the force resulting from the relaxation of the spring 11 is transmitted by the articulation 13 to the trigger of comm ande, so as to return it to its closed position 12. If on the other hand, from an open position such as 12A, the trigger is brought to its extreme position 12B, it is locked in this latter position by the cooperation of its extension 12a with the latching element, 14a, of the ramp 14 (FIG. 4), so that said trigger opposes the force exerted by the automatic reclosing spring 11; the admittance valve Zion therefore remains in its open position, corresponding to position 12B of the trigger, until the user exerts on the latter a thrust in the opposite direction to the arrow f, said trigger then being returned to its position. closing 12 by the action of spring 11 as soon as the extension 12a of said trigger has ceased to cooperate with the latching element 14a.

To clean the filter 5, simply unscrew the cap nut 2 until it is possible to separate it from the tubular handle 1. With the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, the filter in position service, is engaged only on a fraction, 1, of its length L, inside the front part of the tubular handle 1. As a result, after removal of the cap nut 2, the filter 5 protrudes beyond the front part of the tubular handle 1, over a length (L - 1), so that, if it is not too dirty, it is possible to clean it without removing it completely from said handle l, for example by passing it under a tap with running water or by immersing it in a container of water and shaking it. If, on the other hand, the filter requires further cleaning, it is easy to remove it completely from the tubular handle 1 by pushing the flexible supply hose 9 to the left of FIGS. 1 and 2; this last figure shows in particular the filter 5 completely removed from the tubular handle 1; this filter outlet was made possible by the fact that the tubular handle 1 is provided internally with at least one projection 15 (FIG. 2), in particular in the form of a ramp, which is arranged so as to cooperate with at least one projection the trigger 12, in particular in the shape of a pin 16, so that, when the filter 5 is pushed into the front part of the tubular handle 1, towards the front, that is to say towards the left of FIG. 2 , the trigger 12 pivots so as to enter completely in the tubular handle 1, through the longitudinal slot lc; Having reached its position 12C, the trigger obviously no longer opposes the extraction of the filter 5 from the handle 1. The filter 5, completely removed from the handle 1, can then be thoroughly cleaned, by one of the previously indicated methods, and / or by brushing, then be re-engaged inside the tubular handle 1 by exerting on the flexible supply pipe, 9, a pull to the right of FIG. 2; during the movement of the assembly 5-5a-16a-9-10-12 to the right, the cooperation between the pin 16 of the control trigger and the ramp 15, causes the pivoting of said trigger from its position 12C up to 'at its position 12B. It then suffices to screw the cap nut 2 back onto the thread 1a of the tubular handle 1, then to manually return the trigger from its temporary blocking position 12B to its closed position 12.

Figure 5 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the spray head of a hand lance according to the present invention. This spray head firstly comprises a tubular base 17, having, in its straight part (in FIG. 5), a bore, in which the end of the rigid tube, 3, of the hand lance can be engaged, which is opposite to the handle thereof. A cap nut 18, threaded over the end of the tube 3, can be screwed onto an external thread, 17a, of the base 17, so that the tightening of the nut 18 ensures the immobilization of the base 17 on the end of the rigid tube 3. It should be noted that, by slightly loosening the nut 18, it is possible to pivot the base 17 of the spray head, and consequently all of the latter, around an axis, coinciding with the axis yy 'of the rigid tube 3 of the hand lance, the amplitude of this pivoting being able to have any value between 0 and 360 degrees. The end of the base 17, opposite the rigid tube 3, is on the other hand arranged so as to form a sealed bearing for one end of a nozzle, 19, of the spray head, which said bearing allows to make manually rotate around another axis xx '; in the embodiment considered, this axis xx 'makes equal angles, of the same value, α, less than 60 degrees, on the one hand with the axis yy' of the rigid tube 3, and on the other hand with l 'axis zz' of the nozzle 19, this axis zz 'coinciding with the mean direction of the jet of sprayed liquid, as will be specified later. In the illustrated embodiment, the opposite ends of the base 17 and of the end piece 19 are applied to one another by planar bearings such as 20, situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis x -x '; these two parts, 17 and 19, are on the other hand secured in rotation by the engagement, for example with gentle friction, of a hollow pin end, 17b, of the base 17, in a corresponding bore, 19a , of the nozzle 19, as well as by the engagement of a cylindrical skirt, 19b, of the nozzle 19, in a corresponding annular groove, 17c, of the base 17; known latching means are provided to avoid separation of the parts 17 and 19; on the other hand, an O-ring seal 21 is engaged between the end of the hollow axis 17b of the base 17 and the skirt 19b of the end piece 19. In the latter, a conduit 19c is arranged parallel to the 'axis z-z', so as to open, at one end, into the bore 19a, at the level of the axis xx ^t , and, at its other end, on the face of the end piece 19 which is turned towards outside. The side wall of the end piece 19 is provided with a thread 19d on which is screwed a cap nut 22, the bottom of which is pierced with a spray nozzle 22a; an O-ring seal, 23, is engaged in an annular groove in the side wall of the end piece 19, in which groove said seal 23 is tightened by the internal wall of the cap nut 22.

When the inlet valve of the hand lance according to the present invention is opened, by the action of the user on the corresponding trigger, the pressurized treatment liquid is brought by the rigid tube 3 into an angled bore 17d, which is arranged in the base 17, so as to pass said liquid through the bore 19a of the end piece 19, and from there into its conduit 19c. This is independent of the position of the end piece 19 around its pivot axis x-x ', since the conduit 19c opens into the bore 19a at the level of said axis x-x', that is to say in a fixed point relative to the outlet of bore 17c. If the cap nut 22 is not fully tightened, the pressurized liquid passes from the left end of the channel 19c in the small gap existing between the bottom of said cap nut 22, on the one hand, and the corresponding face. of the nozzle 19 on the other hand, said pressurized liquid then escaping from the spray head through the nozzle 22a. By modifying the relative position of the cap nut 22 and the end piece 19, that is to say by screwing or unscrewing said cap nut 22, it is possible to vary the taper of the liquid jet leaving the the nozzle 22a, for example between 0 and 90 degrees.

On the other hand, when the user manually rotates the end piece 19 and the cap nut, 22, screwed on it around the axis x-x ', the axis z-z', which coincides with the mean direction of the jet, sweep a corner cone at the top 2 _OC (60 degrees in the example illustrated), which is tangent to the axis yy 'of the rigid tube 3. By slightly loosening the nut 18, as we 'has already indicated, the user can also rotate the base 17 around the y-y axis', so that the previously defined cone, by rolling somehow on the y-y axis', generates a larger cone, of axis y-y ', and of apex angle equal to 4 α (120 degrees in the example illustrated). It is thus understood that the nozzle 19 of the spray head according to the present invention, or more precisely the mean direction zz ′ of the jet leaving the nozzle 22a can take positions different from that shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, for example the positions represented by dotted lines in the same figure, and, more generally, all the positions possible corresponding to the solid angle inside a cone of axis yy 'and of angle at the top 4 ₀ c, at most equal to 240 degrees.

Figure 6 shows partially in section through an axial plane, another embodiment of the spray head of a hand lance according to the present invention. 24 denotes a generally cylindrical end piece, and 25 a cap, which can be made of molded material, in particular of molded synthetic material; Figure 7 is an elevational view of the face of the nozzle 24 which, in Figure 6, is shown applied against the inner front face, 25a, of the cap 25. The latter is rotatably mounted on the front part, moreover large section, of the cylindrical end piece 24; the two parts 24 and 25 are immobilized, one with respect to the other, in the direction of their common axis z-z ', by the cooperation of re-entrant parts, 25b, arranged at the rear of the skirt of the cap 25, and being able to form, for example, a continuous annular bead, with a bearing surface 24a, connecting the two parts of different cross sections of the cylindrical end piece 24. In the embodiment considered, the front wall of the rotary cap 25 is crossed by a single nozzle, 25b, which comprises at least one divergent frustoconical part, 25b ₁ , at its mouth on the rear face 25a. The axis of the nozzle, 25b, is arranged at a predetermined distance d from the common axis z-z '. As partially visible in FIG. 7, four chambers or depressions are arranged in the face of the cylindrical end piece 24 which is turned towards the rotary cap 25; these four chambers have been designated respectively by 24c, 24d ₁ , 24d ₂ and 24d ₃ ; they are all centered, 90 degrees from each other, on the same circle, of radius d, and center located on the axis z-z '. Latching means are provided to ensure temporary immobilization of the rotary cap 25 relative to the nozzle 24 in four angular positions at 90 degrees from each other, in each of which, consequently, the part 25b ₁ of the nozzle 25b opens into the center of one of the four chambers 24c and 24d ₁ to 24d ₃ . The locking means provided can be very diverse; it may for example be a projection 25c, molded on the re-entrant element 25b of the rotary cap 25, and capable of cooperating with four grooves, 90 degrees from each other, also molded on the surface 24a of the end piece 24. Any other latching device, for example ball and spring, can be used for the indicated purpose. An O-ring seal 26 is engaged in an annular groove 27 in the side wall of the end piece 24 so as to be clamped in said annular groove 26 by the interior wall of the skirt of the rotary cap 25.

According to the present invention, the four chambers 24c and 24d ₁ . at 24d ₃ are supplied from a larger chamber, 28, arranged behind them, and supplied from the flexible pipe for supplying treatment liquid (not shown in FIG. 6). The pressurized treatment liquid passes from chamber 28 into the various chambers 24c, 24d ₁ to 24d ₃ through conduits such as 29c and 29d ₂ , the sections of which are different, as will be explained later. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 24c, substantially cylindrical, opens by its entire section opposite the front wall of the cap 25, so that when the rotary cap 25 occupies the angular position for which the nozzle 25b is located opposite said chamber 24c, the pressure treatment liquid exits from said nozzle 25b in the form of a jet with a small cross section, in the form stick. On the other hand, the three other chambers, 24d to 24d ₃ , are each of annular shape, and their respective upper parts feed a central depression 24e ₁ , 24e ₂ or 24e ₃ , via a number of substantially tangential conduits ; these conduits, the numbers of four, are visible in Figure 7 where they have been designated in particular by 24f ... 24f ₃ . When the rotary cap 25 occupies, relative to the cylindrical endpiece 24, an angular position such that the nozzle 25b is, for example, at the depression 24e ₂ associated with the annular chamber 24d ₂ , the liquid under pressure which is brought in substantially tangential directions into the depression 24e ₂ creates a vortex there, which engages in the frustoconical part, 25b ₁ of the nozzle 25b, so that it escapes from the latter, at the outside of the cap 25, a conical jet whose conicity depends on the geometrical characteristics of the vortex generator device, 24f ₂ -24e ₂ -25b ₁ --25b. By giving the depressions such as 24e ₁ , 24e ₂ .. and their tangential supply conduits such as 24f ₁ , 24f ₂ configurations, and in particular of different dimensions, it is possible to obtain the projection, through the single nozzle 25b, of three jets of different conicities, when the rotary cap 25 respectively occupies the angular positions for which its nozzle 25b is located respectively at depressions such as 24e ₁ , ² 4e ₂ ...

Furthermore, the supply conduits such as 29c, 29d ₂ ... of the different chambers 24c, 24d ₂ ... have cross sections which, as already indicated, are different from each other, and adapted respectively to the configurations and dimensions of the corresponding chambers, 24c, 24d ₂ ..., as well as to those of the nozzle 25b, so as to obtain, in each of the four angular positions previously defined by the rotary cap 25, jets having substantially the same flow rate.

The variant illustrated in Figures 8 to 10 differs essentially from that of Figures 6 and 7 in that there is provided a single chamber 24d for the production of a conical jet; the rotary cap 25 therefore has only two predetermined angular positions, in which its rotational movement is stopped, for example with snap-fastening, thanks to the cooperation of a pin 30, projecting from the internal face of said rotary cap 25, with stops integral with the end piece 24 and not shown. On the other hand, the two chambers 24c and 24d have cross sections of different shapes; in particular, the chamber 24d is supplied over its entire section by the rear supply chamber 28, and it supplies the depression 24e of the vortex generator device by a single tangential slot 24f. Also in this embodiment, the section of the channel 29c which feeds the chamber 24c is chosen so that the net jet produced when the nozzle 25b is opposite said chamber 24c, has substantially the same flow rate as the conical jet produced when said nozzle 25b is located opposite depression 24e.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13, the rotary cap 25 also only has two angular positions predetermined by the cooperation of the pin 30, integral with its internal face (FIG. 13), with stops 24g and 24g ₂ , arranged at inside the end piece 24. This comprises, upstream of the supply chamber 28, a single chamber, in which an eccentric cylindrical core, 24 hours, secured to the end piece 24, delimits two parts of radial widths 24c and 24d, located on either side of said core 24h; the vortex generator device, 25e, is integral with the internal face of the rotary cap 25, with which it has, for example, come from molding concentrically to the nozzle 25b, as well as two tangential feed slots, 25f and 25f ₂ ; the arrangement is such that the circular rib in which the two supply slots 25f and 25f ₂ are arranged comes to be applied in a more or less sealed manner against the corresponding face of the core 24 of the end piece 24 when the cap 25 is in place on said tip 24 and that it occupies the appropriate angular position; in this case, it is the chamber 24d which supplies the vortex generator 25e through the two slots 25f ₁ , 25f and the nozzle 25b produces a conical jet; when, on the contrary, the rotary cap 25 has been turned so as to bring the nozzle 25b opposite the chamber 24c, said nozzle 25 produces a jet in the form of a net, since the whirlpool device 25e is no longer exclusively supplied by its tangential slots 25f ₁ and 25f ₂ ; of course, the assembly can be dimensioned so that the two jets produced have substantially the same flow rate.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described. It covers all their variants, some of which have already been indicated. Among the improvements according to the present invention, which have been previously described, some apply to the handle of the hand lance and to the control members with which it is provided, others to its spray head. It is obvious that the improvements according to the present invention, of a hand lance handle and of its control members, are applicable to any hand lance, equipped with any spray head, as well as any hand lance whose handle and control members would not benefit from the improvements according to the present invention, may be equipped with a spray head according to the present invention; in both cases, the hand lance improved would fall within the scope of the present invention. The fraction, l, of the length, L, of the filter which, according to FIG. 1, is engaged in the front part of the tubular handle 1, is optional material; the ratio 1 / L can in particular have any value, between a minimum value, just sufficient, to allow the engagement of the overflowing base, 5a, of the filter 5 in the tubular handle, and a maximum value, practically equal to 1. The internal element 2c of the cap nut 2 (FIG. 1), instead of being in the form of a skirt, could consist of one or more internal projections, of substantially axial direction, and of appropriate length. Instead of being provided, beyond its articulation 13 on the body 6a of the valve, with an extension 12a cooperating with a fixed ramp 14, the control trigger 12 (FIGS. 2 to 4) could be mounted differently, d in a more conventional way: its extension 12a could be articulated at a fixed point at the base 5a of the filter 5 or of the rigid tube 10, said trigger being further provided with an axial groove cooperating with an axis 13, integral with the part 6a of the valve body; other known mechanical embodiments could be used. The rigid tube 3, instead of constituting an independent part of the tubular handle 1, could be formed by a tubular extension of the latter, at the free end of which the spray head would be mounted. As already indicated, the value of the angle oc between the axes yy 'and xx' (Figure 5) could be chosen greater than 45 degrees, and at most equal in particular to 60 degrees; such embodiments would project the jet in a direction zz 'making, with the axis y-y', an angle greater than 90 degrees and up to 120 degrees, which would allow, for example, the user to spray the liquid on the back of the leaves of the plants to be treated. In the case of the embodiment of the spray head which is illustrated in FIG. 5, the cap nut 22 could be replaced by a rotary cap, similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 6 to 13.

Claims (15)

1. Hand lance for spraying a liquid, in particular a plant treatment liquid, comprising, at the end of a flexible liquid supply pipe, a rigid handle, which is provided with a inlet valve and a trigger for controlling this valve, and in the extension of which is mounted a spray head,
lance characterized in that a prismatic or cylindrical filter (5), one base of which is open, and the other closed by an overhanging part (5a), crossed in leaktight manner by the movable body (6a) of the intake valve, is immobilized in the front part of the tubular handle (1), located on the side of the spray head, by a cap nut (2), screwed on said front part and provided with a tube, one end of which (2b) enters through the open base of the filter (5) and carries the seat (6b) of the intake valve, its other end (2a) serving for connection with the spray head, and that a rigid nozzle (IO), extending the flexible supply pipe (9), inside the tubular handle (1), is integral with the base part (5a) of the filter (5), so as to open into an annular chamber (7) between , on the one hand, the wall of the filter (5) and, on the other hand, the internal walls of the tubular handle (1), and, optionally, of the cap nut (2). 2. Hand lance according to claim 1, characterized in that the various parts housed in the tubular handle (1) are dimensioned so that the cylindrical or prismatic filter (5) is normally engaged on only a fraction (1) of its length (L) in the front part of said handle (1). 3. Hand lance according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the projecting base (5b) of the filter (5) is clamped against an inner annular surface (1b) of the tubular handle (1) by at at least one inner element (2c) of the cap nut (2), this inner element (2c) being for example in the form of a skirt. 4. Hand lance according to claim 3, characterized in that a single seal (8) is associated with the projecting base (5b) of the filter (5). 5. Hand lance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control trigger (12), articulated on the part of the movable body (6a) of the intake valve, which is external to the filter ( 5), can project out of the tubular handle (1) through a longitudinal slot (lc), having a length sufficient to allow said trigger (12C) to be optionally engaged over its entire length inside the handle (1). 6. Hand lance according to claim 5, characterized in that the tubular handle (1) is internally provided with at least one projection (15), for example in the form of a ramp, arranged so as to cooperate with at least one projection (16) of the trigger (12), for example in the shape of a pin, so that, when the filter (5) is pushed in the front part of said handle (1), forwards or backwards from it, the trigger (12) pivots so as to completely enter the tubular handle (1) or to partially exit through the corresponding slot (lc). 7. Hand lance for spraying a liquid, in particular a plant treatment liquid, comprising, at the end of a flexible supply hose tion in liquid, a rigid handle, which is provided with an inlet valve and a control trigger for this valve, and in the extension of which is mounted a spray head, characterized in that the control trigger (12) has, in front of its articulation (13) on the body (6a) of the valve, an extension (12a) cooperating with a fixed ramp (14), arranged so that, when traction is applied manually to said trigger (12), said ramp (14) guides its extension (12a) so that its articulation (13) exerts on said valve body (6a) an overdrive, which is sufficient to overcome the force of a spring (11) of automatic closing of said valve and producing the opening of the latter. 8. Hand lance according to claim 7, characterized in that the ramp (14) comprises a latching element (14a), ensuring the temporary blocking of the trigger in a position (12B), corresponding to the opening of the valve (6a-6b). 9. Hand lance for spraying a plant treatment liquid, comprising, at the end of a flexible liquid supply pipe, a rigid handle fitted with an inlet valve and a trigger for controlling this valve, and provided with an extension carrying at its end a spray head, lance characterized in that the spray head (17-19-22) is pivotally mounted around a first axis (x-x '), forming with the axis of the extension (3) of the handle (1) an angleα less than 60 degrees, preferably an angle α 3 = ₀ degrees. 10. Hand lance according to claim 9, characterized in that the support ( ₁ 7) of its pivoting spray head is itself pivotally mounted around a second axis (y-y ') coinciding with that of the extension (3) of the handle (1). 11. Hand lance according to claim 10, characterized in that the spray head (17-19-22) is arranged so that the mean direction (z-z ') of the jet is inclined by the same angles on the first axis pivot (x-x ') of said head (17-19-22). 12. Hand lance for spraying a plant treatment liquid, comprising at the end of a flexible liquid supply pipe, a rigid handle provided with an inlet valve and a trigger for control of this valve, and in the extension of which is mounted a spray head, lance characterized in that the spray head comprises a nozzle (24) on which a rotary cap or a cap nut (25), traversed by at at least one eccentric nozzle (25b), is rotatably mounted between at least two angular positions which are preferably determined by stops or snaps (24a-25c), and in which said nozzle (25b) is located respectively opposite chambers ( 24c) or different open depressions (24e), arranged in said end piece (24), and shaped so as to produce, in said angular positions of the cap or nut (25), jets of different shapes, for example in net or brush shape, or still conical jets of different conicities. 13. Hand lance according to claim 12, characterized in that the nozzle (24) comprises means (29c, 29d) for substantially equalizing the flow rates of the jets of different shapes, these means (29c, 29d) preferably acting by creating different pressure drops. 14. Hand lance according to claim 13, characterized in that the different chambers (24c) or open depressions (24e), arranged in the nozzle (24), are respectively supplied with treatment liquid by channels (29c, 29d ) or orifices of different sections, adapted to substantially equalize the flow rates of the jets produced respectively by the different chambers (24c) or depressions (24e). 15. Hand lance according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that at least one vortex generator device (24e-24f), in particular of the type known under the name of "propeller", is adapted to one of the opposite faces of the end piece (24) and of the rotary cap (25) or of the nut, respectively, in a position suitable for producing a conical jet when said rotary cap (25) or nut is in the corresponding angular position.

Images