This invention relates generally to a mobile apparatus for spraying a fluid. More specifically, this invention relates to a mobile apparatus for spraying a release agent used in the baking or allied industries.
A release agent is often required in the baking industry to assist with the undamaged removal of a baking product, e.g. bread, cakes etc., from the baking receptacle that has been used in the baking process. Typically, the release agent is in the form of an oil or oil-in-water emulsion spray.
Conventionally, there are two types of spray equipment available for the application of a release agent: air-mix systems and airless systems.
Here, the release agent and compressed air are mixed together and forced under pressure through the nozzle of a spray gun.
A conventional airless system comprises a pressurised barrel or keg containing the release agent. Typically, the release agent will be applied to baking receptacles via a dosing spray gun that is interconnected with the barrel or keg.
In the known airless systems a problem arises in that there is a relatively short [of the order of minutes] optimum spraying time before the pressure in the barrel or keg falls below a workable level. At this point it is necessary to restore the pressure level within the barrel or keg before spraying can be resumed.
A further disadvantage with prior art systems is that there is always a residue in the barrel or keg that cannot be dispensed. Also, a problem often arises due to compressor air coming into contact with the release agent within the barrel itself; in this case the barrel will need to be returned to the supplier.
Another disadvantage with keg-based systems is the weight of the keg itself. Typically, a full keg of liquid release agent will weigh around 45kg. This is delivered to an end-user in a fully laden condition, and must be returned for re-filling after use.
Mobile fluid spray apparatuses are also known from
The present invention arose in attempts to address some or all of the aforementioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art. According to the present invention there is provided a mobile fluid spray apparatus and a method of applying a liquid release agent to baking receptacles as defined in the appended claims.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile fluid spray apparatus comprising: a wheeled housing; a tank disposed within the housing adapted to receive a pressurised gas; a pressure regulator device connected to an outlet of said tank for regulating the output flow of the pressurised gas; a compartment disposed within the housing for removabley receiving a fluid container, said fluid container being connectable to the tank outlet via the pressure regulator device; and a hand-held spray gun connectable to said fluid container for the controlled release of fluid from the fluid container when said fluid container is connected to said tank outlet.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile fluid spray apparatus comprising: a wheeled housing; a tank disposed within the housing adapted to receive a pressurised gas; a pressure regulator device connected to an outlet of said tank for regulating the output flow of the pressurised gas; a removable fluid container connected to the tank outlet via the pressure regulator device; and a hand-held spray gun connected to said fluid container for the controlled release of fluid from the fluid container.
The fluid is a liquid release agent of the type used in the baking industry.
The pressurised gas is air. Preferably, the tank is adapted to contain an air pressure of between 5 to 10 bar. More preferably the tank is adapted to contain an air pressure of 8 bar.
The tank includes an inlet valve for receiving pressurised air from an external supply.
Preferably, the fluid container comprises an outer body fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). And the fluid container comprises a flexible inner bladder which expands when filled with the fluid.
Preferably the outer body is substantially spherical.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:
Referring to the Figures, a mobile fluid spray apparatus 1 comprises a wheeled housing 2. The wheeled housing 2 comprises a lower chamber 3, and upper chamber 4, a tubular frame 5, and wheels 6 fixed to both the lower chamber 3 and the tubular frame 5.
The upper chamber 4 and lower chamber 3 are substantially cylindrical in shape, and the upper chamber 4 includes a sealed top plate 7. Although not shown, the upper chamber 4 also includes access means for enabling installation and removal of a fluid container 20.
A hose and spray gun sub-assembly 8 (see
The high-pressure tank 30 is pre-filled with pressurised air via an inlet valve 31, and the outlet pressure to the spherical PET bottle 22 is controlled by a pressure regulator 32. A pressure gauge 33 allows a user to monitor both the tank pressure and the air pressure reaching the fluid container 20.
In use, the high-pressure tank is filled with pressurised air to substantially 8 bar. A fluid container 20, which has been pre-filled with liquid baking release agent at a remote site, is inserted into the upper chamber 4 through a sealable access panel (not shown). In a full state, the inner bladder 21 is expanded to leave a small air gap 23 between it and the spherical PET bottle 22.
Relatively low pressure air (3.8 bar) is released into the gap 23 via pressure regulator 32, tubular frame 5, and hose 12. Once the spray gun 10 is actuated, the pressure on the inner bladder 21 forces the liquid baking release agent through an outlet 24, along the hose 11 and out of the nozzle 13 in the form of a spray. The fineness of this spray can be adjusted via the nozzle 13.
Advantageously, the capacity of the tank 30 and the fact that it is pre-filled with high-pressure air allows for much longer spraying time (typically 1hr) before there is a significant pressure drop. Furthermore, because no air compressor is used during spraying operations there are no umbilical attachments to the apparatus, nor is there any likelihood that compressor air will come into contact with the liquid release agent.
Another advantage of the present invention is that since the bladder is flexible and can be 'squeezed', the entire product contained therein is dispensed, and there is no waste residue.
Since the apparatus of the present invention does not require a fixed-point compressed air supply, and since it also does not need to be connected to an electricity mains supply, it is totally mobile and is free to be positioned in any desired position about the bakery or working environment.
Also, the delivery weight of a full fluid container according to the present invention is typically 20kg. Since the combined weight of an empty bladder and bottle is only around 1kg, the majority of the weight of the delivered container from the supplier represents actual product, and the weight attributable to the container itself is minimal. Furthermore, after use, the empty container (bladder + bottle) can be crushed and recycled in any convenient manner: there is no requirement to return the fluid container since they are not intended to be re-filled, which negates the requirement of an end-user to store empty containers for collection.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.