Tecnoma and Berthoud brand one-, two-, and three-gallon capacity, pump-type, polypropylene sprayers

CPSC Recall #93015 - November 8, 1992

Recall Summary

Recall Number93015
Recall DateNovember 8, 1992
Remedy TypeRefund, Repair
Units AffectedApproximately 17,000

Product

Tecnoma and Berthoud brand one-, two-, and three-gallon capacity, pump-type, polypropylene sprayers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- CPSC, Exel NJ, Inc. of Montclair, NJ is voluntarily recalling certain models of one-, two-, and three- gallon nominal capacity, pump-type, polypropylene garden sprayers and sprayers designed for applying stains or sealants to wooden decks or concrete. The sprayers included in the recall are Berthoud models F100, F200, F300, F300 PLUS and Tecnoma Model T100, and the T200 series. No other models are included in this recall. These sprayers may rupture or burst without warning, resulting in possibly serious injury. Exel NJ, Inc. has reported seven incidents of product failure to CPSC. Failure of the sprayers could result in injury from flying debris or exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals. The one-, two-, and three-gallon capacity, pump-type, polypropylene sprayers included in this recall, were sold nationwide from late January 1992 to October 1992 in major retail and specialty stores. Berthoud sprayers are yellow with the Berthoud name and red logo on the side of the tank. Tecnoma T100 sprayers are blue and have the Tecnoma name printed on the tank. The Tecnoma T200 series sprayers, designed to apply stains and sealants, are orange. Approximately 17,000 products are believed to be in use by consumers. Berthoud Models F100, F200, F300 and F300 PLUS (Yellow Tanks) Tecnoma T100 Models (Blue Tanks) Tecnoma T200 Series (Orange Tanks) The firm urges consumers to stop using the affected products immediately and to return the empty sprayers to Exel NJ, Inc., 205 Commerce Place, Randleman, NC 27317. Exel NJ, Inc. will reimburse consumers for shipping charges and will repair and return affected products free of charge. For further information, consumers may call Exel NJ, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-677-0917 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks associated with consumer products.

Hazard

 Products sold from January 1992 to October 1992 may rupture or burst without warning resulting in possibly serious injury.

Incidents & Injuries

Exel NJ, Inc. has reported seven incidents of product failure to CPSC. Failure of the sprayers could result in injury from flying debris or exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals.

Remedy Instructions

Discontinue use immediately and return empty sprayers to Exel NJ, Inc., 205 Commerce Place, Randleman, NC 27317 for free repair and return of the sprayers.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund, Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.