Abstract:
A spray nozzle ( 10 ) has a nozzle body ( 20 ) with an inlet ( 24 ) and an outlet ( 26 ). The inlet ( 24 ) is attachable to a hose ( 2 ). The outlet ( 26 ) is configured to receive a chemically-containing cartridge ( 70 ). A forwardly-disposed trigger ( 30 ) is finger-actuated and operates the valve ( 52 ) of a first valve assembly ( 50 ) to control water flow through the nozzle ( 10 ). An inlet conduit ( 56 ) connects the first valve assembly ( 50 ) to a second valve assembly ( 60 ). The second valve assembly ( 60 ) is thumb-actuated by a toggle ( 40 ) to pass water through the nozzle ( 10 ) as clean water supplied to the nozzle ( 10 ) via the hose ( 2 ) or through the nozzle ( 10 ) as chemical-added water that is created by a venturi-induced assembly ( 80 ) contained within the cartridge ( 70 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to spray nozzles. More specifically, it relates to a cleaning spray nozzle having a replaceable cartridge that is used to selectively disperse a chemical, such as a soap, into a water stream flowing from the spray nozzle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to direct pressurized streams of water into specific locations to clean a surface or a container, spray nozzles are often utilized. These nozzles typically include a water inlet end adapted to be connected to a water source, such as a hose, and a water outlet end spaced from the inlet end and through which the pressurized stream of water is dispensed. The inlet end and outlet end are connected by a conduit that is contained within the nozzle and through which the water flows. 
     To operate the nozzle, certain nozzles have manually depressible triggers disposed on the exterior of the nozzle. When depressed, the trigger actuates a valve assembly disposed on the conduit within the nozzle that allows water entering the nozzle from the inlet to flow through the conduit and the valve assembly and out of the outlet end. The dispensing of water from the nozzle can also be controlled by a rotatable member disposed about the exterior of the outlet end of the housing, and capable of moving towards or away from a fixed portion of the housing which obstructs an opening extending through the rotatable member. 
     Regardless of the type of operating mechanism utilized for the nozzle, certain nozzles also enable a chemical, such as a cleaning soap, to be dispensed with the water flowing through the nozzle. In certain prior art nozzles, the soap is fed to the outlet end through a separate conduit such that the water and soap are intermixed only at the outlet end of the nozzle. In other prior art designs, the soap or other chemical is positioned within a cavity disposed directly within the housing. The housing is disassembled in order to expose the cavity and allow the soap to be placed within the cavity. The cavity is then closed by reassembling the housing, and water flowing through the nozzle can contact the soap contained within a cavity for dispensing the soap along with the water flowing out of the nozzle. 
     Some of these prior art devices also include a dispensing mechanism for selecting the volume of the water stream flowing through the nozzle that contacts the soap contained on or within the nozzle. These means normally include a rotatable valve having a passage selectively alignable with the cavity or other container containing the soap, and through which the water stream flows. By turning the valve, an individual can select the amount of incoming water which contacts the soap to select the amount of soap being dispensed with the water stream from the nozzle. 
     These prior art nozzles do not typically disclose a nozzle in which the container holding the soap or other chemical is adapted to be easily and removably attached to the nozzle such that the container can be replaced as necessary. Also, the number of parts needed to construct the dispensing mechanism greatly increases the cost and complexity of these spray nozzles. 
     As a result, it is desirable to develop a hand-operable spray nozzle which includes a soap or chemical cartridge that is releasably attachable to the nozzle. The cartridge should also be selectively contactable with the water stream flowing through the nozzle using a simplified dispensing mechanism in order to dispense soap or other chemicals into the water stream in the desired amounts. Once the cartridge contents are spent, the cartridge should be easily and quickly replaceable by a cartridge having a fresh supply of soap or other chemical in it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manually-operable spray nozzle including a soap or chemical cartridge releasably attachable to the body of the nozzle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle in which the cartridge forms a part of the dispensing mechanism that mixes the soap within the cartridge with the outgoing water spray. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a nozzle in which the cartridge is generally translucent such that the amount of soap remaining within the cartridge can be easily determined. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a nozzle wherein the cartridge can be replaced, if necessary, once the soap or chemical contents of the cartridge are spent. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle that utilizes pressure differentials and one-way venting principles to draw the soap or chemical from a reservoir within the cartridge and into the water stream as it flows through the nozzle. 
     The present invention is an improved manually-operable spray nozzle including a nozzle body having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is selectively connected to a water source, such as a hose, and the outlet end allows the incoming water to be dispensed from the nozzle. To dispense the water, the nozzle includes an actuating member, such as a manually depressible trigger connected to a valve assembly which opens a water flow conduit extending from the inlet end to the outlet end allowing the water to exit the nozzle through the outlet end. 
     The nozzle also includes a detachable cartridge that is releasably attachable to the nozzle body in order to selectively dispense an amount of a chemical, such as a soap, disposed within the cartridge into the water stream flowing through the nozzle. The cartridge is uniquely configured to utilize the concepts of pressure differential and one-way venting to draw the chemical from the reservoir and into the water stream. The cartridge is replaceable and preferably translucent, in order to allow an operator of a nozzle to visually determine whether the cartridge is empty of the chemical, so that the cartridge can be removed and replaced. Further, the cartridge also includes or forms a part of a dispensing mechanism for allowing an amount of the chemical or soap contained within the cartridge, to mix with the water stream flowing through the nozzle. The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top, front and left side perspective view of a spray nozzle constructed according to the present invention and showing a cartridge or container releasably attached to the body of the nozzle. 
         FIG. 2  is a top, front and left side perspective view of the spray nozzle shown in  FIG. 1  and with the cartridge or container removed. 
         FIG. 3  is a top, rear and left side perspective and exploded view of the spray nozzle shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top, rear and left side perspective and exploded view of the cartridge or nozzle portion of the spray nozzle. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectioned left side elevational view of a spray nozzle constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the nozzle toggled to spray water only and showing the attached cartridge or container. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectioned left side elevational view of the spray nozzle shown in  FIG. 5 , without the attached cartridge or container, and showing the nozzle toggled to spray water only. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectioned left side elevational view similar to that shown in  FIG. 6  but showing the nozzle toggled to spray a combined soap or cleaner and water solution. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  illustrates the preferred embodiment of a spray nozzle, generally identified  10 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the spray nozzle  10  is configured to be hand-held and includes a nozzle body  20 , the nozzle body having an inlet end  24  and an outlet end  26 . The inlet end  24  is connectable to one end of a hose  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outlet end  26  of the nozzle body  20  includes an outlet end opening  28 . The outlet end opening  28  is functionally adapted to receive a cartridge or container  70 . See  FIG. 1 . Referring now to  FIG. 3 , it will be seen that the body  20  of the preferred embodiment is a hollow housing having a first body housing member  20   a  and a complementary second body housing member  20   b . In the preferred embodiment, the housing members  20   a ,  20   b  are made of a molded plastic material and are secured together by conventional means. Neither the material or fastening means is a limitation of this invention. 
     In order to operate the nozzle  10 , the body  20  includes a forwardly-disposed trigger  30 . The trigger  30  is intended to be finger-actuated and includes a pair of opposing trigger pivot points  32  and a pair of trigger stops  34 , the stops  34  limiting the range of movement of the trigger  30 . See  FIG. 3 . The trigger  30  is pivotally-secured within the assembled body  20  by the opposing pivot points  32  that are held within opposing pivot point receivers  22 . It is to be understood, however, that the precise method of attachment of the trigger  30  to the body  20  is not a limitation of the present invention. The trigger  30  is operable to selectively actuate a water valve  52  and trigger valve spring  54  contained within a lower, or first, valve assembly  50 . See  FIG. 5 . The trigger valve  52  is disposed within the body  20  to control the flow of water through an inlet water flow conduit  56  that extends between the inlet end  24  of the nozzle body  20  and an upper, or second, valve assembly  60 . 
     The nozzle  10  also includes a toggle  40  that is intended to be thumb-operated for actuation of a chemical dispensing assembly which comprises the second valve assembly  60  contained within the nozzle body  20  and the cartridge  70 . See  FIG. 5 . The toggle  40  is functionally adapted to slidably move a first toggle valve  64  and a second toggle valve  66  within the second valve assembly  60 , the toggle  40  being pivoted about a pin  42  and being spring  48  loaded. The first toggle valve  64  slides longitudinally within a first valve cavity  65  and is anchored at one end to the toggle  40  by means of a first toggle pin  44 . Similarly, the second toggle valve  66  slides longitudinally with a second valve cavity  67  and is anchored at one end to the toggle  40  by means of a second toggle pin  46 . 
     The second valve assembly  60  also includes a first flow conduit  68  and a second flow conduit  69  defined within it. The toggle valve cavities  65 ,  67  create a water flow continuum through the flow conduits  68 ,  69 , respectively. The intended operation of the flow conduits  68 ,  69  is such that, when the toggle  40  is in its un-depressed position, a water flow continuum exists between the hose  2 , the inlet flow conduit  56 , the first valve cavity  65  of the second valve assembly  60  and through the first flow conduit  68 . See  FIGS. 5 and 6 . When the toggle  40  is depressed, a similar continuum exists between the hose  2 , the inlet flow conduit  56 , the second valve cavities  65 ,  67 , and through the second flow conduit  69 , the first flow conduit  68  being effectively sealed off by the first toggle valve  64 . See  FIG. 7 . 
     In this preferred embodiment, the outlet end  26  includes means for releasably receiving a cartridge  70 , the cartridge  70  having an outer cartridge cap  72 . The cartridge receiving means is provided by a pair of keepers  29  defined within the nozzle outlet opening  28  and by a pair of flanges  74  formed to an outer surface  71  of the cartridge cap  72 . This allows for a twisting or rotating fastening action by the user. See  FIGS. 2 and 4 , in particular. It is to be understood, however, that the cartridge receiving means is not limited to that design and other configurations could be used that would still come within the scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , it will be seen that, surrounded by the cartridge cap  72 , the cartridge  70  includes a somewhat dumbbell-shaped, or hose-reel-shaped, venturi assembly  80 . In the preferred embodiment, the venturi assembly  80  includes a central portion  82  that extends between a forward end  83  and a rearward end  85 . The rearward end  85  includes an aperture inlet  86 . The aperture inlet  86  is one end of a flow conduit  87  that runs through the length of the assembly  80  but is gradually expanded in diameter at its distal end  88 . See  FIGS. 5 through 7 . Extending outwardly and generally perpendicularly from the assembly central portion  82  is an inlet port  81  having a venturi aperture  84  defined within it. The rearward end  85  of the venturi assembly  80  also includes a duckbill valve  89  that has a pressure sensitive opening (not shown) defined in it to allow for inlet flow through the valve  89  but which prevents outlet flow from it. 
     When used as intended, the venturi assembly  80  is sealingly received within the cartridge cap  72 . Two sealing rings  92 ,  94  are used. See  FIG. 4 . When fully inserted, a circumferential cavity  78  is formed about the central portion  82  of the venturi assembly  80  and the inner surface  76  of the cap  72 . It is in this cavity  78  that the soap or chemical is stored. As alluded to earlier, the cap  72  includes clean water outlet apertures  75  and at least one water and soap aperture  77 , the former being disposed to the outer periphery of the cap  72  and the latter being disposed to the central area of the cap  72  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In application, the hose  2  is connected to a water supply (not shown) and the nozzle  10  is hand held by the user. As the user depresses the forward trigger  30 , a flow of water is discharged through the cap apertures  75 . During this time, a water flow continuum is being formed within the nozzle body  20  where water flows through the first valve assembly  50 , through the second valve assembly  60  and through the cartridge  70 . More specifically, water passes through the inlet flow conduit  56 , past the trigger valve  52  (which has been opened so as to allow this water flow to occur), into the second valve assembly  60  via the first toggle valve cavity  65  and the first flow conduit  68 . See  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     As the user depresses the toggle  40 , while still continuing to depress the trigger  30 , the first toggle valve  64  slidingly moves within the first toggle valve cavity  65  to close off the first flow conduit  68 , thereby diverting water flow into the second toggle valve cavity  67 . See  FIG. 7 . This allows water to flow through the second flow conduit  69 . Water flowing through the second flow conduit  69  then enters the aperture inlet  86  of the venturi assembly  80 . This water passes through a relatively small flow conduit  87 , through its expanded end  88  and out of the outlet aperture  77 . As this water flows through the latter structure, a pressure differential is realized at the intersection of the flow conduit  87  and the venturi aperture  84  defined within the inlet port  81 . In this fashion, water flowing at a high rate of speed and low pressure past the venturi aperture  84  tends to draw an amount of soap or chemical that is contained within the soap or chemical cavity  78  out of the cavity  78  and into the water flow, thus creating a water and soap solution that is discharged from the outlet aperture  77 . The higher pressure of the cavity  78 , relative to the pressure within the flow conduit  87 , is maintained by virtue of the duckbill valve  89  which allows air to flow into the void created by the discharged soap or chemical from the ambient surroundings. 
     While the above description discloses the best mode of practicing the present invention, other alternative embodiments are also contemplated as being within the scope of the above invention. For example, the cartridge  70  can be formed of a translucent material such that an operator of the nozzle  10  can easily see whether the cartridge  70  is empty or close to empty of the chemical, such that the cartridge  70  needs to be replaced. Also, the attachment structures on the cartridge  70  to secure the cartridge  70  to the nozzle body  20  can be varied as necessary in order to provide an easy and quick connection between the respective parts of the nozzle  20 . For example, the connection can be a threaded connection, as described above, or a snap-in connection, a strap connection, and the like. 
     Various other alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.