Patent Application
20050051641
The field of the invention is nozzles for dispensing chemical concentrates, and particularly a nozzle which can be attached to a spray nozzle and provide a foam.
Foam nozzles that attach to spray nozzles are well-known. These are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,812; 5,611,490; 5,647,539; and 6,164,565.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,812; 5,611,490; and 6,164,565 utilize radial passages for introducing air into a foam nozzle. These have drawbacks in that water and foam can be expelled from the radial passages. Further, these nozzles are retained by a detent or locking arrangements which makes them very difficult to remove.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,371, axially positioned air vent channels are employed. However, they do not introduce air upstream of the nozzle body 10.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,689, a nozzle means is disclosed to provide foam from a hose-end dispenser device. While air is introduced upstream of a screen 68, this arrangement is not provided in a foam nozzle that attaches to a spray nozzle. Neither does the foam nozzle prevent leakage.
What is needed is a foam nozzle attachment for a spray nozzle which reduces the incidence of water or foam leaking from it. Also desirable is a foam nozzle attachment which is readily removed from a spray nozzle when it is no longer wished to be used. In addition, it would be advantageous to have a foam nozzle attachment which does not affect the dilution rate of the chemical concentrate being dispensed.
The present invention provides a foam nozzle for attachment to a spray nozzle which includes: a tubular member having one end portion constructed and arranged to fit over the spray nozzle. The tubular member receives a flow of aqueous chemical solution from an upstream to a downstream direction. A foam producing member is located in an opposing end portion. At least one air passageway extends into the tubular member and terminates a distance upstream from the foam producing member.
In a preferred embodiment, the foam producing member is defined by radially extending rib members and includes a centrally positioned wall portion with the rib members extending radially therefrom.
In one aspect, the air passages are four channel members which are spaced equidistantly from each other and communicate with a spacing of the tubular member from the spray nozzle.
In another aspect, the foam producing member is positioned inwardly from the opposing end portion.
In another preferred embodiment, the air passageway is at least one opening extending through the tubular member and a spacing of the tubular member from the spray nozzle.
A general object of the invention is to provide a foam nozzle for attachment to a spray nozzle which reduces the incidence of leaking water or foam.
Another object is a foam nozzle of the foregoing type which is readily removed from a spray type nozzle.
Still another object is a foam nozzle attachment which while efficiently producing foam does not adversely affect the dilution rate of a chemical concentrate.
Referring to
As seen in
At the opposite end of body section 22, there is connected a foam producing member 35 having radially disposed and spaced ribs and a central deflector 40.
As seen in
A preferred embodiment 10A is shown in
The important feature of both embodiments 10 and 10A is the introduction of air into the inside of body sections 22 and 22A, and upstream of the foam producing members 35 and 35A. This enhances foam production from the aqueous chemical solution exiting from the nozzle heads 42 and 42A in conjunction with the foam producing members 35 and 35A where the radial ribs 37, 37A provide a screen portion which increases foam by agitation. At the same time, deflectors 40 and 40A deflect back a portion of the foam to assure increased foam production. The indirect air passages such as the spacing 24 in combination with grooves or the air holes 24A in combination with annular passage 52A reduce the incidence of the aqueous solution leaking from the foam nozzle.
It will thus be seen that there is now provided a foam nozzle attachment 10 and 10A which is simple in construction yet can produce foam in an efficient manner. The foam nozzles 10 and 10A are easily retrofitted to a spray nozzle and can be utilized in conjunction with a wide variety of aqueous detergent and disinfectant solutions.
The preferred materials for producing foam nozzle members 20, 20A, body sections 22 and 22A and foam producing members 35 and 35A is polypropylene. However, other materials such as die cast metals and other injection molded plastics or elastomers could also be employed.
The foam producing members 35 has been described with a radial spoke arrangement. While this is preferred, other arrangements of spaced members such as screens of various configurations could be used. Radial ribs 37, 37A and deflectors 40 and 40A are illustrated as separate components. If desired, a stainless steel screen could be substituted such as a 100×100 mesh 316 stainless steel screen. However, the spoke arrangement offers the advantage of regular spacing for a consistent foam and a one piece design to eliminate secondary operations when the part is made. The only mandate is that there is sufficient impingement yet enough passage of the aqueous solutions to produce foam without affecting desired flow. All such and other modifications within the spirit of the invention are meant to be within its scope as defined by the appended claims.
