Abstract: A snowmaking apparatus comprising a tunnel-like housing a fan mounted within the housing to move large masses of air through the housing. Water nozzles and ice nucleating nozzles are disposed downstream of the fan. The fan is a compressed air reaction driven fan which provides a region of air lower in temperature within the housing than ambient to enhance the snowmaking process.

Abstract: A liquid distributing apparatus, particularly for incorporation in lids or covers of 3 to 5 gallon containers, has a four-way input valve for delivering water under pressure to wash hands, clean materials, etc., fill the tank on which the lid is placed and to drive rotor shafted to a spur gear which drives an agitator for keeping the concentrate in the tank stirred-up, with a manual input for initially stirring-up or agitating the concentrate. An indicator is provided on the manual drive to show that the agitator (and hence the rotor) is operating. An aspirator or jet pump receives the liquid or water downstream of the rotor and the input aspirator or vacuum line from the concentrate or tank passes through a ball check valve which has an indicator coupled thereto for indicating the flow of concentrate from the tank to the jet pump to be mixed with the water. A valve with predetermined controls the degree or ratio of concentrate.

Abstract: A pair of CO.sub.2 snow forming nozzles are provided within a tank for receiving CO.sub.2 snow and the nozzles are mounted in an upper portion of the tank with their outlet ends directly opposing each other and spaced apart approximately 121/2 inches. A supply of liquid CO.sub.2 at approximately 300 psi is communicated with the inlet ends of the nozzles for simultaneous discharge of CO.sub.2 gas from the nozzle outlet ends and opposing impact of the discharges of CO.sub.2 from the nozzle outlet ends in an impact area disposed centrally between the nozzle outlet ends. In addition, the liquid CO.sub.2 is communicated with the inlet ends of the nozzles through a supply line therefor constructed of good heat transfer material and including an intermediate length portion passing centrally through the area of opposing impact of the discharges of CO.sub.2 from the nozzle outlet ends, thereby chilling the supply line to an extent sufficient to reduce the temperature of the liquid CO.sub.

Abstract: A concentric multiple tube assembly forms an axial eductor passage for educed ambient air flow unobstructed from the inlet end to the outlet end. Ambient air eduction occurs as a result of ejection of compressed air or compressed air and water via at least one set of compressed air and water ejection orifices oblique to the inner tube sidewall defining the eductor passage and at a skewed trajectory angle such that the compressed air streams attach to the inner tube side wall opposite the orifices ejecting the same via Coanda effect. By wall attachment, a water film on the tube inner wall enhances the cooling effect of the air stream passing therethrough by evaporation thereof. Compressed air and water are delivered to annular chambers within the tubular assembly. Preferably, water mixes with the compressed air in one of the chambers prior to ejection into the eductor passage.

Abstract: A spraying system includes a screw conveyor to transmit material to be sprayed from a storage container to a spray nozzle. A predetermined torque is maintained on the screw to thereby maintain a predetermined pressure on the material within the conveyor, so that an instantaneous flow of material at a predetermined pressure can be obtained when the nozzle is opened. The pressure is preferably maintained by means of a hydraulic motor designed to stall at a predetermined torque. A heating jacket for housing heated oil surrounds the screw conveyor and provides heat necessary to maintain the material therein at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A powder spray gun and method of spraying powder wherein an inverted air flow amplifier is located adjacent to the inlet of the gun to enhance blending of powder within the gun and to facilitate sharp cut off and start up of powder flow from the gun. From the inverted air flow amplifier, the blended powder is supplied to a downstream air flow amplifier operable to draw ambient air into the downstream air flow amplifier and to impact the air entrained powder passing through the downstream amplifier with a high velocity stream of compressed air so as to accelerate the velocity of powder emitted from the gun. Powder is supplied to the upstream inverted air flow amplifier through a pair of intersecting inlet ports between which there is a separating baffle.

Abstract: A mixing and spraying apparatus for liquids, optionally for powder and liquid, comprising two branch lines on a conduit conveying water under pressure. One branch line passes tangentially through the tank wall into the mixing tank and causes the water in the mixing tank to rotate in a vortex to mix with the added liquid or powder that is introduced into the top opening of the tank in batches or continuously by means of suitable equipment for this purpose. The other branch line passes radially into the tank through the lower wall portion of the tank and terminates in a nozzle, which together with an open end of an outlet conduit forms an injection pump for conveying the admixed components from the mixing tank to a spray hose and nozzle that are connected to the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A paint cup adapted to be carried by a spray gun for use with coating materials requiring stirring to prevent separation. A reservoir is closed by a cover member which is mounted on the spray gun and, which in turn, mounts an agitator which projects into the reservoir. The agitator is driven by compressed air admitted to an impeller housing on the cover member. The reservoir is sealed except for means to introduce air to replace the coating material used in operation, and in this invention the air is introduced primarily through a separate check valve. Discharge ports in the impeller housing are made sufficiently large to assure at least atmospheric pressure in the reservoir. A separate check valve is provided to maintain the pressure within the reservoir at atmospheric pressure while preventing material leakage from the reservoir. The design of the cover assembly and its controls ensures easy flushing of the components with or without disassembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of forming a durable and immediately reflective line rking on roadways are described. The method includes melting a thermoplastic resinous material, projecting a continuous stream of the melted material onto the roadway in a line and simultaneously (a) projecting a first continuous stream of glass beads into the stream of thermoplastic material as the stream is being applied to the roadway; and (b) dropping a second stream of glass beads onto the top of the thermoplastic/glass bead line immediately after the line is applied to a roadway. The equipment includes a multisection melting tank for the thermoplastic material having a temperature gradient across the different sections, a heated holding tank separably connected to the melting tank, a spray unit for spraying the thermoplastic material, and means for simultaneously projecting glass beads into the liquid marking material as it is being applied and for dropping glass beads onto the applied line after it is applied.

Abstract: A fertilizer or insecticide storage tank is connected to the top of a solution tank. High pressure water fed into the top of the storage tank forces the chemical from the storage tank into the solution tank; a jet is pumped into the curved bottom of the solution tank at high pressure so that the jet travels upwardly and during the filling of the solution tank it agitates the solution; a drain valve is opened when the solution tank is completely filled, to drain the agitated solution through a pump under high pressure into an irrigation system; controls automatically close the drain valve until the chemical storage tank is empty, and automatically open an air pressure valve to the chemical storage tank for a set period through the chemical storage tank thereby to completely empty it; and when multiple chemical storage tanks are used, then to control through sensors the operation through another fertilizer storage tank as aforesaid whereby continual fertilizer operation can be automatically accomplished.

Abstract: An improved spray gun assembly includes a fluid supply container connected to a spray gun and a manually operable trigger for actuating the spray gun, in combination with a motor driven agitator for automatically agitating the fluid contents of the supply container. The agitator is driven by an air motor, and comprises a paddle which is reciprocated in the fluid contents in directions perpendicular to the plane in which it lies.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus, which sprays herbicides, fungicides and insecticides mixed in water or liquid fertilizer, includes a fluid storage tank, a pump and one or more spray heads. An agitator, which is mounted in the fluid storage tank on the end of a bypass return pipe extending between the pump and the fluid storage tank, mixes the fluid in the fluid storage tank. The agitator includes a conical plate or cap overlaying the opening in the bypass return pipe. Spiral shaped fins or ribs are mounted on the concave side of the conical plate for directing the fluid from the bypass return pipe in a spiral rotating fashion to thereby mix the fluid in the fluid storage tank by imparting a gentle rolling action to the fluid. A nozzle between the bypass return pipe and the conical plate provides a fixed gap to control the fluid momentum in the fluid storage tank. The spraying apparatus also includes an anti-vortex device mounted on a fluid outlet pipe.

Abstract: A system for mixing multi-component high viscosity coating and for spraying the mixed coating onto a surface. The coating components are combined by folding together in a desired ratio and subsequently mixing in a gear mixer.The mixed components are atomized and discharged from a spray gunm onto the surface. A solvent system is provided for purging the mixed coating either from the entire system or only from the spray gun.

Abstract: A portable self-contained device for heating and spraying a coating material from a tank onto a surface, the device having a fluid fuel supply for heating the material, which fuel in addition to heating drives an engine that is coupled to a generator device for supplying electrical energy to heating elements in a spray hose and nozzle that communicate with the tank and to a main pump which causes a fluid medium to circulate to drive a stirring engine which operates a stirring apparatus in the tank, and to drive a discharge pump for discharging heated material through the spray hose and nozzle operatively connected to it.

Abstract: In a Power Propelled Reciprocating Piston Pump Liquid Sprayer, there is a reservoir which is mounted on a frame to whose cross members wheels are attached by which the reservoir with its contents is propelled forward. The power unit mounted on the reservoir can be either electric or the gas powered engine type, it drives both the sprayer and the reciprocating piston pump mounted at the base of the reservoir. The pump employs a spring tensioned rubber piston with manual adjusting mechanism and is reciprocated by a power driven crank. On the induction stroke liquid in the reservoir is drawn through the sliding disc valve into the cylinder, on compression, contents is forced through a spring ball loaded valve into a separate chamber situated within the reservoir. From the chamber runs a tube to the exterior of the reservoir where a flexible hose is attached with a spray nozzle on the end.

Abstract: Chemical injector comprises injector structure for injecting a solution from a reservoir into a flowing stream, usually water. The reservoir is at atmospheric pressure, and a chemical solution is withdrawn therefrom by Venturi action, with flow rate being controlled by passage size. Alternatively, an injector pump can positively pump the reservoir solution into the flow stream when the flow rate is too low for Venturi action. A flow control valve is also connected to a bottom portion of the piston of the pump to control the amount of chemical solution flowing from the reservoir to the flowing stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a field crop with liquid chemical for use with a water irrigation system of the type including a plurality of longitudinally spaced towers, and a mechanism for intermittently moving each of the towers to move the system through the field. The apparatus comprises a first assembly for applying liquid chemical to the field crop canopy and/or ground in a first pattern arranged to extend from one of the towers a majority of the distance toward an adjacent tower in amounts which diminish in a direction away from the one tower, a solenoid valve for communicating liquid chemical under pressure with the first pattern applying assembly only when the one tower is in motion.

Abstract: A hydrostatic spraying system with multiple spray booms for use with vehicles is especially suited for spraying agricultural treatment liquids such as fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, trace minerals, etc. The system includes an operator-controllable variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by the vehicle, e.g., via its transfer case. A linear hydraulic motor is powered by the pump, being operated at a speed dependent upon a preselected output of the variable displacement pump and the rate of ground travel. Solenoid-controlled valving alternately supplies the hydraulic fluid to opposite ends of the linear motor for oscillating stroking operation of the motor.

Abstract: A method for applying a normally dry granular fertilizer having granular particles with slow release lawn nutrients and a particle size in the range of from 8 to 50 mesh and carrying slow released lawn nutrients and some water soluble nutrients to a lawn. The method includes the steps of dispersing in an aqueous medium from about 5 to 15% by weight of the normally dry granular fertilizer to create a suspension of granular particles with slow released lawn nutrients, agitating the granular particles to maintain them in suspension, and spraying the suspension on the lawn.

Abstract: Cup apparatus for use with a spray gun for paints in which the cup has a cover incorporating an impeller for an agitator for stirring the contents of the cup. The impeller is driven by the air supply which is used to generate the spray and the exhaust from the impeller is partially discharged through the cup in a manner to avoid collection of paint in the moving parts.

Abstract: Air from a source of pressurized air, acting through a ball-type vibrator and a resilient mounting, serves to form a cloud of abrasive material within a reservoir of such material. Air from the same source serves to aspirate a continuous charge of the cloud of material and to discharge it from a nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed are an aerial agrichemical spraying process and apparatus for producing and applying a multifluid invert emulsion. The apparatus, which is combined with an aircraft, comprises automatically balanced concentric tanks; multifluid valves combining individual preset metering control for each fluid with common, automatic, and simultaneous on/off control for all fluids; a single low-speed pump; a rotary twisted blade in-line mixer; a boom fitted with a number of spray nozzles; feeding and linking conduits; and an electrical control system.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating objects with an abrasive or corrosive fluid, for example, coating the surface of chill moulds with lime soup, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a mixing tank having an impeller for feeding the fluid to an intermediate tank. A plurality of individually directed spray nozzles are arranged to spray fluid from the intermediate tank over the surfaces of inverted chill moulds. A collecting chute and purifying basin are provided for collecting the excess fluid and returning it to the mixing tank. Air is pumped into the bottom of the intermediate tank to prevent silting of the coating fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for evenly disseminating by broadcast techniques trace quantities of biologically active chemicals such as nutrients, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators and the like. The biologically active chemical is encapsulated in a microdispenser such as a filamentary conduit of regulated cross-section and length. The filled microdispensers are then metered into a moving carrier fluid stream, preferably air, and the carrier fluid containing the microdispensers is then evenly dispensed throughout the area. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the microdispensers are coated with a second material which may be either another biologically active material or a sticker for attaching the microdispenser to living organisms such as plants or animals. The method and apparatus is also applicable to biologically active chemicals contained in laminated microdispenser structures for dissemination and release.

Abstract: An applicator for applying chemicals to the soil and the like characterized by a section of main tubular conduit for being connected into a conventional farm irrigation line; a main container disposed adjacent the tubular conduit and having respective filling and draining ports; a fluid inlet conduit disposed along the bottom of the main container for spraying water onto the bottom and keeping the chemicals agitated; an effluent conduit for conducting the fluid containing the chemicals into the main tubular conduit; and an admixing nozzle means connected with the terminal end of the effluent conduit interiorly of the main tubular conduit.

Abstract: A caplike member is received onto a container for including a supply of materials to be sprayed onto lawns, shrubs and the like. A swivel nut mounted on the caplike member interconnects with, say, a water hose. A rotatable drumlike body on the caplike member has a pair of inserts with different sized bores passing therethrough, and which bores or passages are selectively positionable in alignment with a feed opening connected to inlet water, which tube lower end has a single proportion balance control orifice. The insert openings have lateral communication channels opening into a feed tube that extends into the container. A nozzle is rotatably affixed to the drumlike body and is individually adjustable to select any one of several exit openings which form different spray patterns. A further aspect is the provision of a hand operable valving device which directs inlet water into the container as a pressurized jet for initial mixing with the spray materials.

Abstract: A caplike member is received onto a container for including a supply of materials to be sprayed onto lawns, shrubs and the like. A swivel nut mounted on the caplike member interconnects with, say, a water hose. A rotatable drumlike body on the caplike member has a pair of inserts with different sized bores passing therethrough, and which bores or passages are selectively positionable in alignment with a feed opening connected to inlet water, which tube lower end has a single proportion balance control orifice. The insert openings have lateral communication channels opening into a feed tube that extends into the container. A nozzle is rotatably affixed to the drumlike body and is individually adjustable to select any one of several exit openings which form different spray patterns. A further aspect is the provision of a hand operable valving device which directs inlet water into the container as a pressurized jet for initial mixing with the spray materials.