Patent ID: 7124964
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: A01G,A62C,B05B

Abstract:
1. A spray nozzle comprising: a flexible spray tip defining a spray orifice, the flexible spray tip constructed and arranged to flex, thereby altering the shape of the spray orifice, the flexible spray tip further comprising a flange; a spray shaping portion extending distally from the flange, the spray shaping portion defining a slot and the orifice therein; and, a pair of leveraging members extending proximally from the flange, the leveraging members capable of temporarily deforming the spray-shaping portion when the leveraging members are flexed; a metering member in operable contact with leveraging members of the flexible spray tip and movable relative thereto, the metering member constructed and arranged to spread the leveraging members apart and to influence the flexible spray tip to flex in response to the relative movement between the metering member and the flexible spray tip; a driving assembly operably attached to the metering member; and, a nozzle body defining an interior chamber that houses at least portions of the driving assembly, the metering member, and the flexible spray tip, the nozzle body defining an inlet into through which fluid may enter the interior chamber of the nozzle body; wherein the nozzle body, driving assembly, metering member, and flexible spray tip, are arranged such that pressure changes in a fluid flowing through the interior chamber cause position changes in the driving assembly, thereby moving the metering member, thereby changing the influence the metering member has on the flexible spray tip, and thereby altering the shape of the spray orifice.