초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing steam, hot water or hot water vapor and hot air onto a target area, the apparatus comprising a water container and a fuel container connected and supplying water and fuel to an applicator wand with an applicator head which generates ste

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing steam, hot water or hot water vapor and hot air onto a target area, the apparatus comprising a water container and a fuel container connected and supplying water and fuel to an applicator wand with an applicator head which generates steam and heat for application adjacent to the target area of application to the unwanted vegetation. Steam is generated immediately adjacent to the target area within the applicator head and combined with surplus heat from the steam generation process to produce heated steam and water vapor for application to the target area. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator wand is hand held, the applicator head having an inlet, an outlet and a body therebetween, the water and fuel being supplied to a steam generator and burner within the body of the applicator head which generates steam and hot air adjacent to the target area for application through the outlet to the target area.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. An apparatus for directing at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with air heated by a burner onto a target area, the apparatus comprising a water container and a fuel container connected and supplying water and fuel to a boiler and the burner within an applicator he

I claim: 1. An apparatus for directing at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with air heated by a burner onto a target area, the apparatus comprising a water container and a fuel container connected and supplying water and fuel to a boiler and the burner within an applicator head attached to a holding means, the applicator head comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a body therebetween, the boiler and burner being located adjacent the outlet and generating a blast of at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with heated air from the burner adjacent to the outlet for application through the outlet to a target area a first control for controlling the flow of water comprising an ON position and an OFF position and a second control for controlling the flow of fuel comprising a STAND BY position in addition to an ON and an OFF position the STAND BY position permitting sufficient flow of fuel to maintain a low flame in the burner, the controls controlling the flow of water and fuel so that the blast of at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with heated air is only generated as needed. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein both the first and second controls are controlled by a single switch. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the ON position of the switch activates both the first and second controls to the ON position and the OFF position of the switch activates the first control to the OFF position and the second control to the STAND BY position. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the applicator head further comprises a preheater to raise the temperature of the water prior to its entry into the steam generator. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the preheater comprises a countercurrent metal coil within the applicator head. 6. An apparatus fat producing a blast of heated air and at least one of steam, superheated steam, hot water and hot water vapour for application to a target area, said apparatus comprising: a holding means: a flash boiler, said flash boiler coupled to said holding means; an applicator head, said applicator head coupled to said holding means, said applicator head comprising a housing, an Inlet and an outlet to define a cavity to accept said flash boiler; and a water container and a fuel container connected and supplying water and fuel to said flash boiler, such that in use, fuel and water are supplied essentially simultaneously to said flash boiler and a blast of heated air and at least one of steam, superheated steam, hot water and hot water vapour is urged from the outlet adjacent a target area. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said flash boiler is adjacent said outlet. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flash boiler further comprises a suitably selected preheating coil for delivery and efficient preheating of water to said flash boiler. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said flash boiler comprises a countercurrent coil within said applicator head housing. 10. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising turbulence means, said turbulence means located within said housing. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said turbulence means are baffles. 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said flash boiler comprises a burner and a steam generator. 13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said holding means is a wand, said wand being suitably selected to permit hand operation of said apparatus. 14. An apparatus for generating at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with air heated by a burner for application to unwanted vegetation, the apparatus comprising: a wheeled cart supporting a water container, a water pump and a fuel container, an applicator wand comprising a holding means and an applicator head coupled to the holding means, said applicator head comprising a housing, an inlet and an outlet to define a cavity to accept a flash boiler adjacent the outlet, the flash bailer comprising a steam generator and a burner for heating the steam generator, a first elongate hose connecting the water container to a first control located on the applicator wand, the first control controlling and supplying a flow of water to the steam generator, a second elongate hose connecting the fuel container to a second control located on the applicator wand, the second control controlling and supplying a flow of fuel to the burner, both the first and second controls controlled by a single switch, such that when said switch is activated, fuel and water are supplied essentially simultaneously to said flash boiler and a blast of heated air and at least one of steam, superheated steam, hot water and hot water vapor is urged from the outlet to the unwanted vegetation. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first and second controls provide for a high flow when said switch is activated and a low flow when said switch is not activated to provide a pilot light for the burner and a small amount of water to the steam generator.