US3917168A

US3917168A - Dispensing apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US3917168A
Application number: US464146A
Authority: US
Inventors: William L Tenney
Original assignee: William L Tenney
Current assignee: LONDON FOG Inc A CORP OF; P AND B ACQUISITION Inc A MINNESOTA CORP
Priority date: 1974-04-25
Filing date: 1974-04-25
Publication date: 1975-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-04
Also published as: CA1072506A

Abstract

An ultra low volume (ULV) aerosol generator usable to dispense fluid material in the form of relatively small droplets into the atmosphere. The generator has a pump operable to deliver hot compressed air to a dispensing nozzle. Fluid material under pressure is supplied to the nozzle. A flow regulator controls the rate of flow of fluid material to the nozzle and a flow meter plus fluid material temperature sensing gauge is used to monitor the rate of fluid flow. The hot air in the nozzle heats the fluid material in the nozzle to decrease its viscosity and facilitate atomization. Hot air under pressure and hot fluid material are simultaneously discharged from the nozzle into the atmosphere. The rapidly moving and expanding air atomizes the heated fluid material into relatively small and generally uniform droplets.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Tenney Nov. 4, 1975 DISPENSING APPARATUS AND IVIETHOD [22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 464,146

[52] US. Cl. 239/13; 239/77; 239/130;

239/132.l; 239/138; 239/424.5; 222/146 R [51] Int. Cl. 1305B l/24; A01N 17/08 [58] Field of Search 239/8, 13, 71, 73, 74,

239/77, 128, 130-1321, 135-139, 172, 176, 290, 296, 299,314, 418, 423, 424, 424.5; 222/31, 41, 146 H, 146 R, 146 HA; 43/125,

, 3,633,825 l/1972 Waldron 239/135 3,820,718 6/1974 Ammon 239/172 X R20,058 8/1936 Breuer 239/8 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant ExaminerAndres Kashnikow 57 ABSTRACT An ultra low volume (ULV) aerosol generator usable to dispense fluid material in the form of relatively small droplets into the atmosphere. The generator has a pump operable to deliver hot compressed air to a dispensing nozzle. Fluid material under pressure is supplied to the nozzle. A flow regulator controls the rate of flow of fluid material to the nozzle and a flow meter plus fluid material temperature sensing gauge is used to monitor the rate of fluid flow. The hot air in the nozzle heats the fluid material in the nozzle to decrease its viscosity and facilitate atomization. Hot air under pressure and hot fluid material are simultaneously discharged from the nozzle into the atmosphere. The rapidly moving and expanding air atomizes the heated fluid material into relatively small and generally uniform droplets.

32 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures U.S. Pateni Nov. 4, 1975 DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dispensing apparatus and methods are widely used to distribute materials in the form of liquid droplets into the atmosphere to control insects, pests, bacteria, odors and other elements of the environment. Fluid materials known as insecticides are dispensed into the atmosphere to control insects, as mosquitoes and the like.

The effective use of insecticides is required to achieve a good mosquito control program. An effective toxicant includes an effective control of the adult mosquito or larva, presents a low hazard to man and animals and is versatile in formulations to accommodate various methods of application. Malathion is widely used in mosquito control operations today. Four main attributes which have contributed to the use of Malathion for mosquito control are a high toxicity to mosquitoes including chlorinated hydrocarbon resistant strains and species that carry encephalitis or malaria; a low toxicity to man and animals; lack of accumulation in soil and water; and economy. Malathion, C H O PS developed by American Cyanamid Company, was introduced to commercial use in 1952. Methods of application of Malathion include fogging, mist blowing, aerial spraying, dusting and ULV air and ground application. Malathion is a clear brown to colorless liquid having a specific gravity of 1.2315 at 25C. lts boiling point is 156l57C. under 0.7mm pressure. lts viscosity at 40C. is 17.57 centipoises and at 25C. is 36.78 centipoises. The relatively high viscosity of Malathion at normal ambient temperatures makes it difficult to atomize into desirably small particles. However, at higher temperatures its viscosity reduces rapidly and atomization is greatly facilitated.

Thermal fogging machines, as shown by Tenney in U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,176, can be used to dispense Malathion as well as other liquid insecticides. The thermal fogging machine produces a cloud of fine droplets which can linger near the ground and drift through the area inhabited by insects, as mosquitoes, flies and the like. Thermal fogging machines normally use a carrier ofa liquid petroleum, as fuel oil, mixed with the insecticide. The mixture of oil and insecticide is utilized by the thermal fogging machine to dispense a cloud of fine insecticide and oil droplets into the atmosphere.

One class of non-thermal dispensing machines is known as ultra low volume (ULV) aerosol generators. These machines, in many cases, use undiluted, Malathion and other insecticides and have the alleged advantages of increased effectiveness in killing insects, eliminating or greatly reducing the base or carrier oil used in the thermal generator, eliminating the sludge inhibitors as may be needed for mixing the insecticide with the base oils, reducing the weight carried by the vehicle used to transport the insecticide formulation, reducing the insecticide and base oil cost and labor requirements, and eliminating fogs that obscure visibility. This is accomplished with a greatly reduced amount of base oil, thereby enhancing the quality of the environment. An example of this'type of generator is shown by Waldron in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,633,825 and 3,702,306. A ULV cold aerosol generator using Malathion, according to the manufacturer of Malathion, should produce spray droplets in the range of 5-15 microns and not larger than 23-27 microns in size. Larger droplets may impinge on objects in their pathway and may permanently damage automobile paint.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for atomizing a liquid material and dispensing the atomized liquid material into the atmosphere for the control of insects, pests odors and the like. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method and apparatus for dispensing liquid insecticide, as Malathion, Dibrom, Pyrethum, and the like, into the atmosphere for controlling insects, as mosquitoes, flies and the like. The apparatus has pump means operable to compress and heat air. The pump means has an outlet for carrying the heated air under pressure to a nozzle means. The hot air from the pump means heats the nozzle means: The nozzle means has air discharge outlets which direct the heated compressed air into the atmosphere. The liquid insecticide is supplied to the nozzle means by pressure or suction forces. The insecticide flows through the nozzle means and is heated to a temperature approaching that of the hot air flowing through the nozzle means and is discharged through a liquid outlet simultaneously with the discharge of air. The expanding and rapidly moving air and liquid insecticide under pressure coact with each other to create mechanisms, including shearing and expansion forces, which break up the liquid insecticide into relatively small and generally uniform droplets. The heating of the liquid insecticide in the nozzle means produces a decrease in the viscosity of the liquid insecticide, making it much easier to break up into relatively uniform droplets in the desired particle size range. The flow of liquid insecticide to the nozzle means may be controlled with a flow regulator or by the construction of the nozzle means. The relatively cold liquid insecticide flows through the regulator, providing. control of relatively low volumes of liquid insecticide to the nozzle.

The method of dispensing the liquid material into the atmosphere with a nozzle means includes the step of compressing and heating the air with a pump. The compressed and heated air is supplied to the nozzle means to heat the nozzle. Liquid material is supplied to the nozzle means and flows through the nozzle means so that the liquid material is heated in the nozzle with the hot air'supplied to the nozzle. The heated air and the heated liquid are simultaneously discharged from the nozzle into the atmosphere. The high velocity expanding air and liquid react with each other to break up the liquid material into relatively small particles in a dispersion pattern away and downstream of the nozzle means.

The rate of flow of liquid material to the nozzle means may be regulated and sensed. The temperature of the liquid. material at the flow rate sensing instrument may also be sensed.

An object of the invention is to provide an Ultra Low .Volume aerosol generator which uses hot air in the nozzle to heat liquid, as liquid insecticide or other insecticide formulations, to a temperature which does not significantly alter the insecticide properties of the liquid but sufficiently reduces the viscosity so that the liquid will break up more easily into the desired relatively small and uniform droplets. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method for dispensing a liquid material which reduces the amount of liquid formulation released into the environment, yet has increased insect kill effectiveness. A further object of the invention is to provide an air and liquid dispensing nozzle and apparatus of simple construction which functions to heat the air and then transfer heat from the air to the liquid and thus discharge air and liquid into the atmosphere in a desirably small and uniform droplet size range. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a very simple and low cost apparatus and method for dispensing liquid materials in the desired droplet size range into the atmosphere which is rugged and reliable in construction and operation.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the ULV aerosol generator of the invention mounted on a pickup truck;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the aerosol dispensing nozzle and adjacent apparatus diagrammatically associated with the air compressor;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the remote control and instrument panel in the line between the liquid tank and the dispensing nozzle of the ULV aerosol generator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the solenoid valve connected to the dispensing nozzle;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal setional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the ultra low volume (ULV) aerosol generator or dispensing apparatus of the invention indicated generally at 10 mountedon the rear portion of the body 11 of a pickup truck 12. Pickup truck 12 is illustrated as one type of vehicle used to transport the generator 10. Other types of vehicles, as trailers, hand carts and wheeled frames, can be used to transport the generator.

The ULV aerosol'generator 10 has an air compressor or pump 13 driven by a motor 14. The motor 14 is preferably an internal combustion engine, such as a four cycle, single cylinder engine. Other types of engines, including electric motors, can be used to drive the air compressor. A belt and pulley drive system 16 connects the output of the motor to the air compressor 13. Alternatively, a direct drive between the motor and air compressor can be used. A fuel tank 17 located adjacent the motor 14 is connected with a suitable fuel line to the carburetor of the motor in the conventional manner.

The air compressor 13 hasan outlet pipe 18 connected to the outlet 19 of the compressor. As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, the air compressor 13 has a reciprocating piston and suitable valving (not shown) operable to force air through the outlet port 19 into the outlet pipe 18. The air discharged from compressor 13 is at an elevated temperature, for example, 300 F. Other temperatures of the air in this range can be attained by the compressor. Compressor 13 is an air pump operable to discharge hot air under pressure in a range between approximately 30 and 150 psi. The air pump may be of piston type construction. Other suitable types of air pumps may also be used to heat and pressurize the air.

Outlet pipe 18 is connected to an air filter 21. The casing of air filter 21 may be of a size to assist in damping out air pressure fluctuations generated by air compressor 13. In some dispensing apparatus air filter 21 can be eliminated. A discharge nozzle 22 is mounted on I the filter 21 with a connector indicated generally at 23. Connector 23 can be a ball joint or other suitable universal joint type structure. Nozzle 22 projects rear wardly and upwardly at an angle of about 45 to introduce the aerosol upwardly and rearwardly into the atmosphere behind the truck. The direction of the nozzle outlet may be adjusted by changing the position of the I ball joint connector 23. A heat insulation material may be applied to pipe 18, filter 21, connector 23, nozzle 22 and associated structures to minimize heat losses. Nozzle 22 is an external mixing nozzle having a generally flat elliptical spray pattern. Internal mixing nozzles or other types of nozzles may also be used with the ULV aerosol generator 10. The connector 23 has an elbow 26 carrying a pair of

interconnected members

27 and 28 forming a ball type universal joint. The member 28 retains a movable member secured to an angle tube or pipe 29 and is movable so that the horizontal and/or vertical angle or discharge direction of the nozzle 22 32 between regulator 32A and tank 34. When a suction type nozzle is used, the line 32 may be dispensed with. As shown in FIG. 1, formulation tank 34 is located adjacent the motor and is used to store the fluid, as liquid insecticide. Tank 34 is fluidly connected with a line or hose 36 to the remote control and instrument panel 38. Connector 36A, having a removable line filter is mounted on top of tank 34. Line 36 is attached to the outlet of connector 36A and a drop pipe 36B extended toward the bottom of tank 34 is attached to the inlet of connector 36A. Drop pipe 363, connector 36A and hose 36 carry the fluid to a remote control and instrument panel 38. A second or return line 37 carries the fluid from remote control and instrument panel 38 to the nozzle 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the remote control and instrument panel 38 has a flow meter 39 comprising a generally upright tube 41 having a passage containing a ball 42. The tube 41 is calibrated with scale 43 to provide a visual indication of the position of the ball 42 in the tube 41. A control valve 44 is located adjacent the upper end of the tube 41 to regulate the flow of liquid through the tube. The passage in tube 41 increases in diameter from the bottom so that the higher the location of ball 42 in the passage, the greater the indicated flow of liquid through the passage. Remote controLand instrument panel 38 also contains a fluid temperature gauge 46 which indicates the temperature of the fluid at'the'flow meter 39, and an air pressure gauge 47 indicating air pressure delivered to nozzle 22. An air pressure line (not shown) connects gauge 46 with the air outlet of filter 21. Located below gauge 47 is an on/off switch 48 for controlling the flow of liquid to the nozzle. The flow meter 39, gauges 46 and 47 and on/off switch 48 are all mounted on a frame assembly 49. As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control and instrument panel 38 is located in the cab of the pickup truck 12 where it is readily accessible to the operator of the truck.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a solenoid valve 51 operable to control the flow of liquid to the nozzle 22. Valve 51 has a body 52 having a passage 53 for the flow of liquid through the body 52. A plunger 54 is operable to close passage 53 thereby preventing the flow of liquid through the passage. Spring 56, engageable with a fixed stop 57 and plunger 54, operates to bias plunger 54 to a closed position. The fluid under pressure is applied across the spring end of plunger 54 to aid the spring 56 in holding the plunger 54 in its closed position, preventing the flow of liquid through the valve. An elongated cylindrical coil 58 surrounds plunger 54 and stop 57. Leads 59 are connected to the coil 58. Leads 59 are connected to the on/off switch 48 on the frame assembly 49 and a power source, such as the battery of the truck or the electrical system of the compressor motor, by suitable wiring .(not shown). When switch 48 is in the on position, coil 58 is energized. This moves plunger 54 to the open position, allowing the flow of liquid through passage 53 and into nozzle 22. The solenoid 51 is mounted on nozzle 22 with a short nipple 61, shown in FIG. 2.-

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, nozzle 22 has a body 62 of heat conductive material, as aluminum. One end of body 62 has a threaded air inlet opening 63 accommodating threaded end 31 of the angle pipe 29 so that the nozzle 22 is mounted on pipe 29. The outlet end of body 62 has an annular recess 64. A plurality of longitudinal passages 66 connect the inlet 63 with the annular recess 64. The end of the body 62 adjacent the annular recess 64 has a continuous flat face 67.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, body 62 has a fluid inlet port 69 for receiving the threaded nipple 61. The port 69 extends to the center of body 62 and is in communication with a longitudinal central passage 71. Passage 71 is open to face 67 of the end of body 62. The annular recess 64 surrounds and is concentric with the passage 71.

Mounted on the outer end of body 62 is a head or nozzle unit 72 operable to concurrently discharge heated air and heated liquid under pressure into the atmosphere. The air and liquid are mixed with the liquid being broken down into desirably small particles. Head 72 has a threaded tubular member or projection 73 that is threaded into the passage 71. The base of head 72 has a flat end 74 facing the flat surface 67 of the body 62 An annular washer or seal 76 is located between surfaces 67 and 74 so that head 72 is mounted in a sealing relation on body 62. The base of head 72 has an annular recess 77 facing the annular recess 64 in the body. The washer 76 has a plurality of holes 76A to provide air communication between the

recesses

64 and 77. Head 72 has a plurality of passages 78 that extend through the head. The passages 78 are open to the annular groove 77 and the opposite end of the head. Located centrally of the passages 78 is a longitudinal center passage 79 in communication with passage 71. The upper end of head 72 has an outwardly directed projection or nipple 81. A longitudinal passage 82 extends through the nipple 81. The passage 82 is smaller than and open to passage 79 and provides an outlet for the liquid and provides the liquid with velocity energy.

A cap 83 is mounted on the end of the head 72. The cap 83 has an outwardly directed annular flange 84. A nut or ring 86 threaded on the head 72 engages the flange 84 to hold the flange in engagement with head 72. The cap 83 has an internal recess 87 providing a chamber for the air discharged from the passages 78. An opening or air outlet 88 is open to recess 87 and surrounds the outer end of nipple 81 providing an annular air outlet around the nipple 81. This forms an annular sheath of air concentric about the stream of fluid discharged from the fluid outlet 82. Cap 83 has diametrically opposite ears 89 and 91 which project in a downstream direction. Bars 89 and 91 have

passages

92 and 93 in communication with the recess 87. The

passages

92 and 93 have inwardly directed outlet openings which direct additional air jets into the stream of liquid and air moving from the

outlets

82 and 88.

The stream of liquid and air discharged from the

outlets

82, 88, 92 and 93 is indicated at 94. This stream moves outwardly in a longitudinal direction with the liquid being progressively broken up into relatively small droplets by the rapidly moving and expanding heated air. The moving air has a shearing effect on the liquid which atomizes the liquid into small droplets. The cylindrical sheath of air discharged from outlet 88 initially surrounds the liquid stream. Air jets 97 and 98 from the

passages

92 and 93 broaden the spray pattern, provide for additional mixing of the air with the liquid, and aid in atomizing the liquid. The nozzle 22 functions to heat the liquid by transferring heat energy from the hot air supplied to it to the liquid also supplied to it. Heated liquid and hot air under pressure are simultaneously discharged to atomize or break up the liquid into relatively uniform and small droplets and to disperse these droplets into the atmosphere in a generally elliptical spray pattern. The heating of the liquid decreases its viscosity. The low viscosity of the liquid influences the droplet size. The liquid breakup is caused by a number of mechanisms including the collapse of unstable liquid sheets, the drop in pressure of the expanding air, and the shearing action of the moving and expanding air. With higher liquid viscosity, larger forces are necessary to atomize and break up the liquid. Surface tension of the liquid must also be overcome in creating droplets.

When Malathion is the liquid insecticide supplied to the nozzle 22, the hot air in nozzle 22 may elevate the temperature of the Malathion to about 200F. or more, thereby markedly decreasing its viscosity. The simultaneous dispensing of hot air under pressure and hot Malathion into the atmosphere produces relatively uniform particles in the range of 5-15 microns. A similar action also occurs with some other fluids. Other types of materials can be dispensed with the apparatus to control insects, odors and pests. The apparatus 10 can also be used to dispense materials such as tear gas, sanitizing agents, particles for snow precipitation, and the like.

In terms of method, the aerosol generator 10 is operable to dispense a material, as a liquid insecticide formulation, into the atmosphere in desirably small and uniform particles or droplets. The air is initially compressed and heated with the pumping action of the compressor 13 to a temperature of at least 200 F. The motor 14 is operable to drive compressor 13. The compressed and heated air is carried to the dispensing nozzle 22 with a minimum of heat loss. The heated air heats nozzle 22 so that the liquids that are moved through the nozzle are heated in the nozzle. It is desirable to deliver the heated air to the nozzle at a temperature of at least 200 F. The material is supplied to nozzle 22 under pressure. For example, when Malathion is used, it may be supplied to the nozzle at the rate of 3-4 fluid ounces per minute. The rate of flow of liquid through the flow meter is regulated in accordance with the truck speed. For example, when Malathion is used, a truck speed of miles per hour may correspond to a flow rate of 1-1.5 fluid ounces per minute. Likewise, a truck speed of 10 miles per hour may correspond to a flow rate of 2-3 fluid ounces per minute. The flow rate is constantly monitored by the operator to maintain uniform control of the discharge rate.

The material is stored in tank 34. Air from the compressor is supplied to the tank to place the material under pressure. The material moves from the tank through the remote control and instrument panel 38 and to the control solenoid valve 51 mounted on nozzle 22. Remote control and instrument panel 38 has valve 44 operable to adjust the flow of liquid to nozzle 22. With the solenoid switch 48 in the on" position, the coil 58 is energized, moving plunger 54 to the open position, thereby permitting the flow of material through the passage 53 of the solenoid .valve 51.

As shown in FIG. 5, the material flows into the longitudinal passage 71 open to passage 79. The material, being under pressure, is forced through the exit opening 82 into a longitudinal stream of material 94 into the atmosphere. The hot compressed air is delivered to the inlet 63 of the body 62. The air flows through passages 66 into the

annular recesses

64 and 77. The air then flows through the passages 78 in head 72 into the annular recess 87. In the annular recess 87 the air is divided into three parts. One part of the air flows through the annular outlet 88, forming the jet sheath of air about the material stream moving from liquid outlet 82. The other two parts of the air flow through the

passages

92 and 93 and are directed inwardly as air jets into the mixture of air and material. The material from the time it enters the body 62 until it is discharged into the atmosphere is surrounded with passages containing the heated air. This increases the temperature of the material within the nozzle to a point below the vaporization temperature of the material. For example, the temperature of the material in the nozzle may be between 200 F. and 350 F. (93176 C.) or more. This condition also exists a short distance outwardly into the atmosphere as the air jets surround the liquid stream 94 and progressively atomize or break up the liquid into relatively small droplets. The moving and expanding air jet produces an abrupt drop in pressure at the discharge area of the liquid. This movement and pressure drop results in forces that atomize the hot liquid into relatively small particles or droplets. The majority of the droplets are preferably in a size range of 5-15 microns when Malathion is used.

The temperature of the material in the nozzle may be above the vaporization point of the material. Also, the material can be supplied by suction forces from the nozzle in lieu of air pressure in tank 34.

The heating of the liquid material in the nozzle 22 according to the inventiongreatly facilitates the breakup and atomization thereof into desirably small particle size ranges. At the same time, the elevated temperature aids in producing more uniform particle sizes. The heating of the liquid materialin the nozzle also permits the use of a less costly and less complex nozzle. This heating further reduces the amount of air required to achieve the desired degree of atomization of the liquid material. Accordingly, a small capacity, lighter and less costly air compressor and drive motor for the compressor are needed. a

While the forms of the dispensing apparatus and method herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of appa ratus and that changes may be made. therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims. 1

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An apparatus for atomizing liquid material and dispensing the atomized liquid material into the atmosphere comprising: pump means operable to compress and heat air to a temperature of at least 250 F., said pump means having an outlet means for carrying heated air under pressure from the pump means, means for operating the pump means, nozzle means including 1 means of heat conducting material for receiving the hot air under pressure and directing the air into the atmo sphere, means of heat conducting material having first passage means for accommodating the hot air, connector means coupling the nozzle means to the outlet means whereby the nozzle means receives the hot air of at least 250 F. under pressure from the pump means and means for supplying liquid material to the nozzle means, said means of heat conducting material having second passage means accommodating the liquid material, said second passage means being located adjacent the first passage means whereby the liquid material is heated in the nozzle means by the hot air passing through the first passage means and mixed with the hot air whereby high velocity hot air atomizes the liquid material as the hot air and heated liquid material are discharged from the nozzle means into the atmosphere, said means for supplying liquid material includes tank. means for storing the liquid material, first line means connecting the outlet means of the pump means to the tank means whereby air under pressure is supplied to the tank means to subject the liquid material in the tank means to pressure, second line means separated from the connector means and pump outlet means connecting the tank means with the nozzle means to carry'liq- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pump means is operable to heat the air delivered to the nozzle means to a temperature of at least 300 F.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including: flow meter.

means in the second line means to sense the flow rate of liquid material through said second line means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including: means to sense the temperature of the liquid material moving through the flow meter.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said valve means is mounted on the nozzle means, and means operable to control the valve means to selectively stop the r flow of liquid material to the nozzle means and permit the flow of liquid material to the nozzle means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: themeans to control the valve means includes a solenoid and switch, said switch being located remote from the solenoid.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pump means has a reciprocating piston operable to compress and heat air.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the nozzle means has a body secured to the connector means, said body having first passage means for carrying hot air from the connector means and a second passage means for carrying liquid material, a head secured to the body, said head having first passage means in communication with the first passage means for the body and second passage means in communication with the second passage means for the body whereby hot air under pressure flows through said first passage means, said hot air in the nozzle means operable to increase the temperature of the liquid material, said first passage means and second passage means of the head having outlets which provide for the mixing of hot air and heated liquid material and directing the mixed hot air and heated liquid material into the atmosphere whereby the heated liquid material is atomized into relatively small droplets.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: said first passage means in the body includes a plurality of passages located around the second passage means of the body.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the outlets include a liquid outlet and an annular air outlet surrounding the liquid outlet.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 including: cap means attached to the head, said cap means having at least one air outlet passage for receiving hot air from the first passage means and directing said hot air in an inward direction into the stream of liquid material discharged from the nozzle means whereby the liquid material is atomized by the high velocity expanding hot air.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said cap means has an annular air discharge outlet surrounding the liquid discharge ogitlet.

14. An apparatus for atomizing liquid material and dispensing the atomized liquid material into the atmosphere comprising: air compressor means operable to increase the pressure of and heat air to a temperature of at least 200 F., means for operating said compressor means, nozzle means for receiving the heated air from the compressor and directing said air into the atmosphere, said nozzle means including means of heat conducting material having first passage means for carrying hot air, connector means connecting the nozzle means with the compressor means so that the nozzle means receives said heated air at a temperature of at least about 200 F. under pressure from the compressor means, and means remote from the connector means for supplying liquid material to the nozzle means, said means of heat conducting material of the nozzle means having second passage means accommodating the liquid material, saidsecond passage means being located adjacent the first passage means whereby the liquid material is heated in the nozzle means by the hot air passing through the nozzle means and mixed with the hot air whereby high velocity hot air atomizes the liquid material as the hot air and heated liquid material are discharged from the nozzle means into the atmosphere;

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the compressor means is operable to heat the air delivered to the nozzle means to a temperature 'in the range of the boiling temperature of the liquid material.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 including: means to regulate the rate of flow of liquid material to said nozzle means. I Y v 17. The apparatus of claim 14 includingz valve means mountedfbn the nozzle means operable to control the flow of liquid material tothe nozzle means, and means operable to control the valve means to selectively stop flow of liquid material to the nozzle means and permit flow of liquid material to the nozzle means.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the means to control the valve means includes a solenoid and switch, said switch being located remote from the solenoid.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 including: flow meter means for sensing the flow rate of liquid material from the means for supplying liquid material under pressure to the nozzle means.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 including: means to sense the temperature of the liquid moving through the meter means.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the means of heat conducting material includes a body secured to the connector means, said body having first passage means for carrying hot air from the connector means and a second passage means for carrying liquid material, a head secured to the body, said head having a first passage means in communication with the first passage means for the body and second passage means in communication with the second passage means for the body whereby hot air under pressure flows through said first passage means, said hot air in the nozzle means operable to increase the temperature of the liquid material, said first passage means and second passage means of the head having outlets which provide for the mixing of hot air and heated liquid material and directing the mixed hot air and heated liquid material into the atmosphere whereby the heated liquid material is atomized into relatively small droplets.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: said first passage means in the body includes a plurality of passages located around the second passage means of the body.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: the outlets include a liquid outlet and an annular air outlet surrounding the liquid outlet.

24. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the means for supplying liquid material to the nozzle means includes suction means for moving liquid material through the nozzle means.

25. The apparatus of claim 14 including: valve means operable to selectively stop or permit the flow of liquid material to the nozzle means.

26. A method of dispensing a liquid material into the atmosphere with a nozzle comprising: compressing and heating air with pump means, supplying the air compressed and heated by the pump means to the nozzle at a temperature of at least 250 F. to heat the nozzle, supplying liquid material to the nozzle without substantially heating the liquid material, heating said liquid material in the nozzle by transferring heat energy from the heated air to the liquid material, and simultaneously directing the heated air and heated liquid material from the nozzle into the atmosphere whereby high velocity heated air atomizes the heated liquid material into relatively small droplets.

27. The method of claim 26 including: regulating the rate of flew of liquid material to the nozzle.

is directed from the nozzle in a cylindrical sleeve emanating from an annular air outlet surrounding the liquid material outlet.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein: the air is heated to a temperature to heat the nozzle to a temperature in the range of the boiling temperature of the liquid mate-

Claims

1. An apparatus for atomizing liquid material and dispensing the atomized liquid material into the atmosphere comprising: pump means operable to compress and heat air to a temperature of at least 250* F., said pump means having an outlet means for carrying heated air under pressure from the pump means, means for operating the pump means, nozzle means including means of heat conducting material for receiving the hot air under pressure and directing the air into the atmosphere, means of heat conducting material having first passage means for accommodating the hot air, connector means coupling the nozzle means to the outlet means whereby the nozzle means receives the hot air of at least 250* F. under pressure from the pump means and means for supplying liquid material to the nozzle means, said means oF heat conducting material having second passage means accommodating the liquid material, said second passage means being located adjacent the first passage means whereby the liquid material is heated in the nozzle means by the hot air passing through the first passage means and mixed with the hot air whereby high velocity hot air atomizes the liquid material as the hot air and heated liquid material are discharged from the nozzle means into the atmosphere, said means for supplying liquid material includes tank means for storing the liquid material, first line means connecting the outlet means of the pump means to the tank means whereby air under pressure is supplied to the tank means to subject the liquid material in the tank means to pressure, second line means separated from the connector means and pump outlet means connecting the tank means with the nozzle means to carry liquid material to the nozzle means without substantially heating the liquid material, valve means in the second line means to selectively stop or permit flow of liquid material to the nozzle means, and means in the second line means to regulate the rate of flow of liquid material to the nozzle means when the valve means is open.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pump means is operable to heat the air delivered to the nozzle means to a temperature in the range of the boiling temperature of the liquid material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the pump means is operable to heat the air delivered to the nozzle means to a temperature of at least 300* F.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including: flow meter means in the second line means to sense the flow rate of liquid material through said second line means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said valve means is mounted on the nozzle means, and means operable to control the valve means to selectively stop the flow of liquid material to the nozzle means and permit the flow of liquid material to the nozzle means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the means to control the valve means includes a solenoid and switch, said switch being located remote from the solenoid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: Said cap means has an annular air discharge outlet surrounding the liquid discharge outlet.

14. An apparatus for atomizing liquid material and dispensing the atomized liquid material into the atmosphere comprising: air compressor means operable to increase the pressure of and heat air to a temperature of at least 200* F., means for operating said compressor means, nozzle means for receiving the heated air from the compressor and directing said air into the atmosphere, said nozzle means including means of heat conducting material having first passage means for carrying hot air, connector means connecting the nozzle means with the compressor means so that the nozzle means receives said heated air at a temperature of at least about 200* F. under pressure from the compressor means, and means remote from the connector means for supplying liquid material to the nozzle means, said means of heat conducting material of the nozzle means having second passage means accommodating the liquid material, said second passage means being located adjacent the first passage means whereby the liquid material is heated in the nozzle means by the hot air passing through the nozzle means and mixed with the hot air whereby high velocity hot air atomizes the liquid material as the hot air and heated liquid material are discharged from the nozzle means into the atmosphere.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the compressor means is operable to heat the air delivered to the nozzle means to a temperature in the range of the boiling temperature of the liquid material.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 including: means to regulate the rate of flow of liquid material to said nozzle means.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 including: valve means mounted on the nozzle means operable to control the flow of liquid material to the nozzle means, and means operable to control the valve means to selectively stop flow of liquid material to the nozzle means and permit flow of liquid material to the nozzle means.

26. A method of dispensing a liquid material into the atmosphere with a nozzle comprising: compressing and heating air with pump means, supplying the air compressed and heated by the pump means to the nozzle at a temperature of at least 250* F. to heat the nozzle, supplying liquid material to the nozzle without substantially heating the liquid material, heating said liquid material in the nozzle by transferring heat energy from the heated air to the liquid material, and simultaneously directing the heated air and heated liquid material from the nozzle into the atmosphere whereby high velocity heated air atomizes the heated liquid material into relatively small droplets.

27. The method of claim 26 including: regulating the rate of flow of liquid material to the nozzle.

28. The method of claim 26 including: sensing the flow rate of the liquid material moving to the nozzle.

29. The method of claim 26 including: sensing the flow rate and temperature of the liquid material moving to the nozzle.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein: the air supplied to the nozzle is at a temperature of at least 300* F.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein: the heated air is directed from the nozzle in a cylindrical sleeve emanating from an annular air outlet surrounding the liquid material outlet.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein: the air is heated to a temperature to heat the nozzle to a temperature in the range of the boiling temperature of the liquid material.