Patent Publication Number: US-11383254-B2

Title: Multi-orifice nozzle for droplet atomization

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/121,115 filed Sep. 4, 2018 entitled MULTI-ORIFICE NOZZLE FOR DROPLET ATOMIZATION, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entireties. 
    
    
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to nozzle devices and methods for creating atomized sprays to provide greater coverage in dispensing liquids. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a multi-orifice nozzle and associated components for droplet atomization. 
     Devices for dispensing liquids are generally known in the art. The dispensing of liquids may be used in a variety of settings in which a liquid is to be applied to a target object. One such scenario includes the treatment of seeds with chemical agents, including antimicrobials, fungicides, insecticides, coloring agents, fertilizer, growth promotors, etc. 
     Conventional devices introduce a chemical agent to the seeds while the seeds are being agitated in order to provide greater coverage of the chemical agent across the seeds. A portion of the seeds are exposed directly to the chemical agent. This may occur by direct contact when the chemical agent is dispensed from a source (such as by manual introduction or through a hose). As the seeds are agitated, the remaining seeds may be exposed to the chemical agent indirectly. The chemical agent may transfer from seed to seed or from the container which has excess chemical agents until all of the seeds have been exposed to the chemical agent. 
     The method of agitating seeds until the chemical agent is spread across the entire load of seeds can be inefficient and ineffective at properly treating a batch of seeds. For example, the seeds may be treated with the chemical agent disproportionately, leaving some seeds effectively untreated and other seeds over treated. Further, the agitation process may damage some of the seeds if the process occurs for too long or if the agitation is too rough in order to achieve ubiquitous and even coverage. Thus, these methods may necessitate a balance between treatment coverage and maintaining the integrity of the seed. 
     Seed treaters may also find this problem particularly difficult when high volumes of seeds are to be treated. On an industrial scale, the balance between effective coverage and efficient processes with high yield is crucial. 
     Another difficulty associated with the dispensing of chemical agents onto seeds includes the varying viscosities and densities of the variety of chemicals used. Certain chemicals may be prone to clogging liquid feeders where others may be prone to fast and uncontrolled dispensing and dispersion. 
     What is needed then are improvements in liquid dispensers, nozzles, and methods for delivery of liquid products in the form of atomized sprays. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a device for spraying liquid droplets onto seeds. The device includes a seed treatment chamber and at least one multi-orifice nozzle positioned to spray liquid droplets onto seeds residing inside the chamber. The seeds may be circulated mechanically inside the chamber during spray. The multi-orifice nozzle provides enhanced liquid droplet atomization for applying the liquid onto the seeds inside the chamber. 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a multi-orifice nozzle for droplet atomization. The multi-orifice nozzle may include a head defining an exterior head surface, the head having a plurality of liquid supply channels and a plurality of liquid supply channel entrance openings. The head may also have a plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings such that liquid enters the plurality of liquid supply channels at the liquid supply channel entrance openings and exits the plurality of liquid supply channels at the liquid supply channel exit openings. The multi-orifice nozzle may also comprise a pressure cap positioned proximate the head, the pressure cap defining a pressure chamber and a plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices defined in the pressure cap downstream of the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. Thus, gas passing through the pressure chamber toward the plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices may travel past the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. The multi-orifice nozzle may also include an alignment spacer defined on the head, wherein the alignment spacer interfaces with the pressure cap such that each of the plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices is aligned with a corresponding liquid supply channel exit opening of the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. The alignment spacer may prevent relative rotation between the head and the pressure cap and space each of the plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices from the corresponding liquid supply channel exit opening of the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure includes a liquid dispensing apparatus for droplet atomization including a dispensing body having a receiving end and a dispensing end, the dispensing body including a liquid duct and a gas duct defined in the dispensing body. The liquid dispensing apparatus may further include a head positioned proximate the dispensing end of the dispensing body. The head may include a plurality of liquid supply channels and a plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings such that liquid travelling from the liquid duct toward the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings passes through the plurality of liquid supply channels. The liquid dispensing apparatus may further include a pressure cap positioned proximate the dispensing end of the dispensing body and exterior the head relative to the dispensing body, the pressure cap defining a pressure chamber, the pressure chamber being in fluid communication with the gas duct. The liquid dispensing apparatus may further comprise a plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices defined in the pressure cap and aligned with the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings such that gas passing from the gas duct toward the plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices travels past the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. The liquid dispensing apparatus may also include an alignment spacer on the head, the alignment spacer operable to interface with the pressure cap such that each of the plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices is aligned with a corresponding liquid supply channel exit opening of the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. The alignment spacer may axially space each of the plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices from the corresponding liquid supply channel exit opening of the plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. 
     Another aspect may include a method of atomizing a liquid. The method may include providing a liquid to a liquid duct in a dispensing body and providing a gas to a gas duct in the dispensing body. The method may further include introducing the liquid into a head via a plurality of liquid duct channels, the head positioned proximate the dispensing body. The method may also comprise introducing the gas into a pressure chamber of a pressure cap, the pressure cap positioned proximate the dispensing body such that the head is positioned between the pressure cap and the dispensing body and expelling the gas through a plurality of pressure cap orifices, the pressure cap orifices positioned proximate a plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings. The method may also include dispensing the liquid from the liquid supply channel exit openings and through the pressure cap orifices, such that the liquid and the gas interact and form atomized droplets of the liquid. 
     In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a device for spraying seeds. The device includes a multi-orifice nozzle positioned inside a chamber, wherein the multi-orifice nozzle is configured to provide flow blurring atomization of a liquid to be sprayed onto the seeds. 
     Numerous other objects, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispensing apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispensing apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispensing apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded sectional perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispensing apparatus including a multi-orifice nozzle comprising a pressure cap and a head. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of exemplary embodiments of a multi-orifice nozzle. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-orifice nozzle mounted to a dispensing body. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-orifice nozzle and an interface between the pressure cap, the head, and the dispensing body. 
         FIG. 8A  is a sectional side view of a liquid supply channel, a liquid supply channel exit opening, and a distance H, distance H representing the distance between the liquid supply channel exit opening and a pressure chamber exit orifice. 
         FIG. 8B  is a sectional side view of a liquid and a gas interacting at a reflux cell and forming toroidal vortices in the liquid supply channel, resulting in flow blurring of the liquid. 
         FIG. 8C  is a sectional side view of a liquid and gas interacting at a reflux cell resulting in flow blurring, where a liquid supply channel exit opening includes a sharp edge. 
         FIG. 8D  is a sectional side view of a liquid and a gas interacting at a pressure chamber exit orifice, resulting in flow focusing of the liquid. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-orifice nozzle with an exemplary holder sleeve. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional side view of exemplary embodiment of a multi-orifice nozzle with exemplary holder sleeve and exemplary dispensing body. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  depict an exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispensing apparatus mounted on an exemplary seed treater, wherein the liquid dispensing apparatus is adjustable for providing an adjustable spray distance. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-orifice spray device for use in a seed treatment application for liquid droplet atomization. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that are embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
     In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. A person of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use. 
     A liquid dispensing apparatus  10  is generally provided for droplet atomization. Liquids may be atomized by the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  in order to break up a liquid substance while dispensing the liquid onto a surface. Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a liquid dispensing apparatus  10 . The liquid dispensing apparatus  10  generally includes a nozzle  12  in fluid communication with a liquid inlet  14  and a gas inlet  16 . A liquid substance and gas may pass into the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  through the liquid inlet  14  and the gas inlet  16  respectively. The liquid substance and gas may then pass out of the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  through the nozzle  12  such that the liquid substance exits the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  as fine particles (atomized). 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , a liquid dispensing apparatus  10  is provided in greater detail. In one embodiment, the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may comprise a dispensing body  20  having a receiving end  22 , a dispensing end  24 , a liquid duct  26 , and a gas duct  28 . The liquid duct  26  and the gas duct  28  may be defined in the dispensing body  20  from the receiving end  22  to the dispensing end  24 . 
     The liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may further comprise a nozzle  12 . The nozzle  12  may be integrated onto the dispensing body  20  or may be a separate component.  FIGS. 2-4  demonstrate an exemplary embodiment in which the nozzle  12  comprises a head  30  positioned proximate the dispensing body  20  at the dispensing end  24  and a pressure cap  40 . The pressure cap  40  may be positioned proximate the dispensing end  24  of the dispensing body  20  and exterior the head  30  relative to the dispensing body  20 . Thus, the head  30  may be positioned between the dispensing body  20  and the pressure cap  40  when assembled. 
     When the nozzle  12  is discrete from the dispensing body  20 , the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may further comprise a pressure cap fastener  60 . The pressure cap fastener  60  may include threads  62  for engaging corresponding threads  29  on the dispensing body  20 . The pressure cap fastener  60  may also define a pressure cap opening  64  through which a portion of the pressure cap  40  may extend when the pressure cap fastener  60  is retaining the pressure cap  40  proximate the dispensing body  20 . The pressure cap fastener  60  may include a collar  66 , the collar  66  operable to retain a lip  48  of the pressure cap  40  with substantially even pressure around the collar  66 , such that a pressure chamber  42  is maintained between the pressure cap  40  and the head  30  when coupled together. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2-4 , the head  30  may include an interior head surface  31  and an exterior head surface  32 . The head  30  may further comprise a plurality of liquid supply channels  34 , which span the head  30  from the interior head surface  31  to the exterior head surface  32 . When the head is positioned proximate the dispensing end  24  of the dispensing body  20 , the liquid supply channels  34  are in fluid communication with the liquid duct  26 . Thus, a liquid substance may enter the liquid supply channels  34  from the liquid duct  26  and pass through the head  30 . The head  30  may further comprise a plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings  36 , which are positioned on the exterior head surface  32 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2-4 , the pressure cap  40  may define a pressure chamber  42 . The pressure chamber  42  may be in fluid communication with the gas duct  28 . The pressure cap  40  may further comprise a plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices  44  defined in the pressure cap  40 . When the pressure cap  40  is positioned exterior the head  30 , the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  may be aligned with the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  such that gas passing from the gas duct  28  toward the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  travels past the liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . The pressure chamber  42  will be discussed in further detail below. 
     The head  30  may further comprise an alignment spacer  38 . The alignment spacer  38  may be operable to interface with the pressure cap  40  such that each of the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  is aligned with a corresponding liquid supply channel exit opening of the liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . The alignment spacer  38  may further be operable to axially space each of the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  from a corresponding liquid supply channel exit opening  36 . When the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  are aligned with and axially spaced from the pressure chamber exit orifices  44 , a liquid substance that is exiting the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  is disrupted by gas moving from the pressure chamber  42  and through the pressure chamber exit orifices  44 . The interaction of the gas and the liquid substance results in the disruption of the interaction between liquid particles such that smaller units of the liquid substance are expelled from the liquid dispensing apparatus  10 . The alignment spacer  38  may also be operable to prevent the relative rotation between the head  30  and the pressure cap  40 , such that the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  and the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  remain in alignment. 
     In some embodiments, the pressure cap  40  may include an alignment spacer receiver  46 , the alignment spacer receiver  46  operable to receive and retain the alignment spacer  38  of the head  30 . As seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the alignment spacer  38  may include a D-shaped protrusion. The D-shaped protrusion may correspond to a D-shaped recess of the alignment spacer receiver  46 . The D-shape of the alignment spacer  38  and the alignment spacer receiver  46  provide mechanical interference such that the head  30  and the pressure cap  40  are prevented from axially rotating with respect to each other. Various other shapes may be implemented to provide the alignment and anti-rotation features of the head  30  and pressure cap  40 , including non-circular shaped alignment spacers  38 . 
     In other embodiments, the alignment spacer  38  further comprises a distal surface  33  and the alignment spacer receiver  46  further comprises a back wall  47 . When the alignment spacer receiver  46  retains the alignment spacer  38 , the distal surface  33  of the alignment spacer  38  is in contact with the back wall  47  of the pressure cap  40 . When the distal surface  33  of the alignment spacer  38  and the back wall  47  are in contact, the frustum-shaped portion  37  of the head  30  is axially spaced from the inner wall  41  of the pressure cap  40 . Thus, when the head  30  is positioned adjacent the pressure cap  40 , the pressure chamber  42  is maintained (See  FIGS. 6-8 ). 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the head may define an exterior head surface  32  including a frustum-shaped portion  37 . The liquid supply channel exit openings  36  may be spaced on the frustum-shaped portion  37  of the exterior head surface  32 . The placement of the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  on the frustum-shaped portion  37  permits the nozzle  12  to maintain a wider spray distribution of the liquid substance. The frustum-shaped portion  37  may be formed such that a conic angle  50  may provide a specific distribution pattern that is desirable. The conic angle  50  is the angle defined between a head axis  52  about which the head  30  is disposed and the exterior surface of the frustum-shaped portion  37  of the head  30 . For a tighter spray distribution, the conic angle may approach 90 degrees. For a wider spray distribution, the conic angle  50  may approach 0 degrees. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the head  30  may include the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  spaced along a frustum-shaped portion  37  of the head  30 . The liquid supply channel exit openings  36  may be spaced to provide a spray distribution in 360 degrees around the head axis  52 . The number of liquid supply channel exit openings  36  may include anywhere from two to thirty liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . In some embodiments, the head  30  includes three to fifteen liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . In other embodiments, the head  30  comprises ten liquid supply channel exit openings  36  spaced equally along the frustum-shaped portion  37  of the head  30 . The liquid supply channel exit openings  36  may be positioned on the frustum-shaped portion  37  of the head  30  in a single plane, the single plane disposed perpendicularly to the head axis  52 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5B and 6 , the head  30  may further define a loading chamber  39 . The loading chamber  39  may be a recess on the interior head surface  31 . A plurality of liquid supply channel entrance openings  35  may be positioned adjacent to the loading chamber  39 , the liquid supply channel entrance openings  35  operable to permit liquid substances to pass from the liquid duct  26  into the liquid supply channels  34 . The loading chamber  39  may include a variety of configurations including conical shape, semi-spherical shape, and other configurations known to one of skill in the art. The loading chamber  39  may allow for the liquid substance to pool and stage prior to passing into the liquid supply channels  34 . All of the liquid supply channels  34  may be fed from the loading chamber  39 . 
     In other embodiments, the liquid supply channels  34  may be fed directly from the liquid duct  26  or a loading chamber  39  may be formed between the head  30  and the dispensing body  20 . In those embodiments in which the head  30  is integrated onto the dispensing body  20 , the loading chamber  39  may be a distinct portion defined in the dispensing body  20 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in some embodiments, the liquid supply channels  34  includes a converging section upstream of the liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . The converging section generally provides a reduction in diameter in a downstream direction toward the liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . For instance, the liquid supply channels  34  may have a first diameter D at or near the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  and a second diameter D 2  at or near the liquid supply channel entrance openings  35 . In some embodiments, the second diameter D 2  is greater than the first diameter D. In other embodiments, the first diameter D is greater than the second diameter D 2 . The variation in the diameter of the liquid supply channels  34  may provide certain fluid dynamics, which promote the atomization of the liquid substance. 
     In some embodiments, the liquid supply channels  34  may be disposed about a plurality of liquid supply channel axes  58  in the head  30  such that the liquid supply channels  34  are perpendicular to the exterior head surface  32 . In other embodiments, the liquid supply channel axes  58  are positioned at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the head axis  52 . The distribution area of the atomized liquid may be varied by altering the angle between the liquid supply channel axes  58  and the head axis  52 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , the gas duct  28  may be in fluid communication with the pressure chamber  42 . As previously discussed, the pressure chamber  42  is maintained between the pressure cap  40  and the dispensing body  20  when the pressure cap  40  is proximate the dispensing body  20 . The pressure chamber  40  may be positioned inward from the interior pressure cap end wall  45  such that the pressure chamber  42  is surrounding portions of the dispensing body  20  and the head  30  in 360 degrees. The interior pressure cap end wall  45  can be substantially flat in some embodiments and in other embodiments, the pressure cap end wall  45  may be curved to substantially match the curvature of the frustum-shaped portion  37  of the head  30 . In order to maintain an airtight seal between the pressure cap  40  and the dispensing body  20 , an O-ring may be positioned between the pressure cap  40  and the dispensing body  20 . Thus, a gas entering the pressure chamber  40  from the gas duct  20  may only be exhausted through the pressure chamber exit orifices  44 . 
     In some embodiments, the pressure chamber  42  may narrow proximate the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  and the liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . The pressure chamber  42  may narrow to a distance of H, as seen in  FIG. 8A , between the pressure cap  40  and the head  30 , meaning the interior pressure cap end wall  45  is axially offset from the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  by a distance H. The distance H may be maintained by the alignment spacer  38  extending a length which is greater than the depth of the alignment spacer receiver  46 . The distance H may be one of the factors that provides the proper physical interaction of the liquid substance and the gas to create the various discharge patterns including flow blurring and flow focusing. For example, the pressure chamber exit orifice  44  may include a pressure chamber exit orifice diameter D. In some embodiments, a nozzle  12  includes a ratio of H divided by D that is less than about 0.25. In various other embodiments, the nozzle  12  includes a ratio of H divided by D of less than about 0.10. The ratio between H and D promote certain interactions between the liquid substance and gas that result in various spray patterns such as flow blurring and flow focusing. 
     One example of flow blurring is demonstrated in  FIG. 8B . In this example, a liquid substance travels through the liquid duct  26 , enters the liquid supply channel entrance opening  36  and through the liquid supply channel. A gas travels through the gas duct  28  and into the pressure chamber  42 . As the gas moves towards the pressure chamber exit orifice  44  and the liquid supply channel exit opening  36 , a portion of the gas enters into the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  and forms toroidal vorticities, thereby providing a desired flow interaction geometry for forming a reflux cell  70  in the liquid supply channels  34 . The turbulent interactions of the liquid substance and the gas at the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  overcomes some of the physical interactions of the molecules of the liquid substance, thus allowing the liquid substance to be divided into smaller units forming small droplets of the liquid substance. Other portions of the gas exit through the pressure chamber exit orifice  44 . As the gas exits the pressure chamber exit orifice  44 , the gas is able to expand and interact with the liquid substance exiting from the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  and the pressure chamber exit orifice  44 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 8B , in some embodiments, a nozzle  12  allows a portion of gas forced through the pressure chamber  42  from the gas duct  16  to flow upstream into the liquid supply channels  34  through the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  and to form a reflux cell  70  with the liquid substance in the liquid supply channels  34  upstream of the liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . Formation of a reflux cell  70  is characteristic of a flow blurring interaction between a liquid substance and a gas. The reflux cell  70  includes a region of toroidal vorticity between a propellant gas flow  72  and a liquid product flow  74  inside the liquid supply channels  34 . The liquid substance and the gas undergo turbulent interactions, forming one or more discrete bubbles of propellant gas in some flow conditions. A plurality of fluid ligaments  76  may be formed extending from the reflux cell  70  toward the pressure chamber exit orifices  44 , and a plurality of atomized droplets  78  are formed downstream of the pressure chamber exit orifices  44 . The nozzle  12  may form atomized droplets in a size range of between about 0.5 and about 250 micrometers in some applications. 
     As demonstrated in  FIG. 8C , in other embodiments, flow blurring may also be accomplished by providing a liquid supply channel exit opening  36  including a side wall disposed at an acute angle, meaning the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  may form a sharp edge. Because the shape of the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  is sharp-edged, gas is able to exit the pressure chamber  42  with little or even no losses by friction. Consistently, the gas will be released at the highest velocity that the essentially adiabatic expansion allows. The sharp edge of the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  may be formed directly in the head  30  such that the pressure chamber  42  extends into the cavity or empty space created by the recess in the head  30  providing the sharp edge. This configuration may be employed around each of the liquid supply channel exit openings  36  such that the liquid substance dispensed from the device  10  is influenced by a substantially similar environment. 
       FIG. 8D  provides an exemplary embodiment in which flow focusing occurs. As gas travels through the pressure chamber  42 , the gas exits the pressure chamber exit orifice  44 . Liquid substance travelling through the liquid supply channel  34  and out through both the liquid supply channel exit opening  36  and the pressure chamber exit orifice  44  is disrupted by the gas flowing out. Thus, the liquid substance is broken up into small droplets. 
     In both flow focusing and flow blurring, the interactions may occur at each of the plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices  44  and liquid supply channel exit openings  36 . Thus, the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  is providing an atomized liquid substance in 360 degrees around the nozzle  12 . 
     Likewise, as can be seen in  FIGS. 6-8 , in some embodiments, the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  may include a diverging section downstream from the pressure chamber  42  and liquid supply channels  34 . The diverging section generally provides an increase in diameter in a downstream direction. The diverging section may provide a wide field for the expansion of the gas and the dispersion of the fluid ligaments  76  and atomized droplets  78  for droplet formation. For example, the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  may comprise a substantially conical recess where the conic angle α is in the range of 145 degrees and 45 degrees. In one example, the conic angle α is about ninety degrees. As the gas expands and the liquid substance is atomized, the fluid dispersion may be controlled or limited by the pressure chamber exit orifices  44 . In those embodiments in which the fluid dispersion is to be controlled, the conic angle α of the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  may be narrower and in those embodiments where a wide dispersion is sought, a wider conic angle α of the pressure chamber exit orifices  44  may be implemented. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the nozzle  12  is discreet from the dispensing body  20 , the dispensing body  20  may form nozzle-receiving portions  25  on the dispensing end  24 . The nozzle-receiving portions  25  may correspond to structural features of the nozzle  12 . For example, when the head  30  is placed adjacent the dispensing body  20 , the nozzle-receiving portion  25  is shaped to receive the head  30  such that the liquid supply channel entrance openings  36  are in fluid communication with the liquid duct  26 . Furthermore, the dispensing body  20  may include an O-ring to prevent the liquid substance from passing out from between the nozzle-receiving portion  25  of the dispensing body and the head  30 . Thus, liquid substance flows only along the desired flow path. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  further comprises a holder sleeve  90 . The holder sleeve  90  is configured to slide over and receive the dispensing body  20 . The holder sleeve  90  may be retained in a permanent or semi-permanent position on various assemblies, including a seed treating assembly (See  FIG. 11 ). The holder sleeve  90  may form an interior channel  92  shaped to receive the dispensing body  20  such that the nozzle  12  extends outward from the interior channel  92  when the dispensing body  20  is retained by the holder sleeve  90 . The dispensing body  20  may move relative to the holder sleeve  90 , such that the spray distance may be adjusted according to a desired length. 
     In some embodiments, the dispensing body  20  may include a plurality of recesses  80  axially spaced along exterior portions of the dispensing body  20 . The recesses  80  may be axially spaced along the dispensing body  20 . In some embodiments, the recesses  80  may extend about the exterior surface of the dispensing body  20 . The dispensing body  20  may be disposed about a dispensing body axis  27  and the recesses  80  may be positioned along the dispensing body  20  such that the recesses  80  are transverse to the dispensing body axis  27 . The liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may further comprise a set fastener  92 , which is operable to selectively retain the dispensing body  20  in the holder sleeve  90  at an adjustable position via one of the recesses  80 . The set fastener  92  may include a screw such that when the set fastener  92  is advanced through the holder sleeve  90 , the set fastener  92  mechanically interferes with the sidewalls of the recesses  80  and prevents the advancing or retreat of the dispensing body  20  relative to the holder sleeve  90 . 
     In some embodiments, the recesses  80  may be formed between ridges  82  protruding from the surface of the dispensing body  20 . The ridges  82  may be axially spaced along the dispensing body  20  such that a recess  80  is formed between each of the ridges  82 . The width of the recess  80  may be substantially equal to the set fastener diameter. When the set fastener  92  is advanced until at least a portion of the set fastener  92  rests between two of the ridges  82  forming the recess  80 . Thus, the set fastener  92  is secured between the two ridges  82  such that each of the ridges  82  simultaneously provides mechanical interference on two sides of the set fastener  92 . If a user desires to adjust the spray distance of the liquid dispensing apparatus  10 , the set fastener  92  may be removed or partially removed, the dispensing body  20  may be positioned relative to the holder sleeve  90 , and then the set fastener  92  may be advanced until the dispensing body  20  is secured within the holder sleeve  90 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may be mounted to a seed treating apparatus. The liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may be operable to have an adjustable spray distance via the holder sleeve  90  and the set fastener  92 . The nozzle  12  of the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may be extended further into the seed treating apparatus or may be retracted to allow for a variable spray distance of the liquid dispensing apparatus  10 . In some embodiments, the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  may be disposed in an internal drum  98  of the seed treating apparatus. The internal drum  98  may include an interior chamber  99  in which seeds may be contained for treatment. The internal drum  98  may rotate such that when the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  is activated and providing an atomized spray of a liquid substance, the seeds may be coated in the liquid substance as the internal drum  98  rotates. Although the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  is discussed with regards to a seed treating apparatus, it is contemplated in the disclosure that the liquid dispensing apparatus  10  could be applied in a variety of applications in which a liquid is to be dispensed under the conditions disclosed herein for droplet atomization. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , a further embodiment of a multi-orifice spray device  10  for use in a seed treatment application for liquid droplet atomization. The device  10  includes a pressure chamber exit orifice  44  positioned on pressure cap  40  to emit a liquid spray onto seeds inside a seed treatment chamber. The pressure cap fastener  60  retains the pressure cap  40  on the device. One or more devices  10  may be installed in a seed treatment chamber for spraying seeds. In some embodiments, the device  10  is configured to emit liquid droplets using flow blurring droplet atomization. 
     A method of atomizing a liquid substance is also disclosed. The method includes providing the liquid to a liquid duct in a dispensing body and providing a gas to a gas duct in the dispensing body. The method may further include introducing the liquid into a head via a plurality of liquid duct channels, the head positioned proximate the dispensing body and introducing the gas into a pressure chamber of a pressure cap, the pressure cap positioned proximate the dispensing body such that the head is positioned between the pressure cap and the dispensing body. Further, the method may comprise expelling the gas through a plurality of pressure chamber exit orifices, the pressure chamber exit orifices positioned proximate a plurality of liquid supply channel exit openings and dispensing the liquid from the liquid supply channel exit openings and through the pressure chamber exit orifices, such that the liquid and the gas interact and form atomized droplets of the liquid. 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Multi-Orifice Nozzle for Droplet Atomization, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention.