Patent Publication Number: US-2020282410-A1

Title: Adjustable nozzle assembly or nozzle attachment for a liquid-filled sprayer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/814,124, filed on Mar. 5, 2019, and entitled “ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE FOR A LIQUID-FILLED SPRAYER,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is directed generally to an adjustable nozzle or an attachment to a nozzle for a liquid fluid sprayer that prevents the sprayed fluid from contacting the user&#39;s fingers during adjustment of the spray pattern. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 a -1 c   , lawn and garden sprayers typically employ an outlet nozzle  10  that is manually adjustable, in order to set the fluid spray to the desired pattern. By manually turning the nozzle  10 , the user may adjustably vary the fluid outlet to form straight-stream, coarse spray, and fine mist patterns. As shown in  FIGS. 2 a -2 c   , the nozzle  10  includes an elongated body  12  with a touch point area  14  provided for the user to grasp for purposes of rotating the nozzle to its desired flow pattern. The touch point area  14  is spaced proximate to and laterally from the fluid spray outlet  16  of the nozzle. 
     A disadvantage of the typical manual-adjustment spray nozzle  10  is that the touch point area  14  is very close to the fluid spray outlet  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 a -2 c   . This typical touch-point location is disadvantageous because, when operating the sprayer, the sprayed fluid can drip and otherwise collect onto the surfaces that surround and comprise the nozzle spray outlet  16 . The user&#39;s fingers, when grasping the nozzle  10  to adjust the spray pattern, can thus become wet with the sprayed chemical due to the unobstructed proximity of the touch point to the nozzle outlet. An example of a typical touch-point location is shown in  FIG. 3 . The touch point area  14  on this typical adjustable nozzle  10  is seen to be proximal to the fluid outlet  16 . 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a tool that minimizes the risks to a user of contacting hazardous liquids while spraying the liquids. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable nozzle assembly or an attachment to a nozzle for a liquid fluid sprayer. 
     According to an aspect an adapter is provided that extends along a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends and used in conjunction with a liquid spray nozzle having a spray outlet from which a variety of different spray patterns can be selectively actuated by rotation of the spray nozzle, the nozzle adapter comprising: a bell-shaped region positioned in radially surrounding relation to the liquid spray nozzle, wherein the bell-shaped region tapers outwardly from a proximal position towards a distal position and terminates in a drip edge that is a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis and a first axial distance from the proximal end; and a touch point region positioned adjacent the proximal end and being manually rotatable to selectively adjust the spray pattern, the touch point region being a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first radial distance. 
     According to an embodiment, the adapter further comprises an intermediate region extending between the bell-shaped region and the touch point region and being a third radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than the second radial distance, the intermediate region comprising a plurality of vent openings formed therethrough in circumferentially spaced relation to each other. 
     According to an embodiment, the adapter further comprises a first drip ring positioned between the intermediate region and the touch point region and being of fourth radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first radial distance and less than the second radial distance. 
     According to an embodiment, the adapter further comprises a dam feature formed within the adapter and proximal relative to the vent openings. 
     According to an embodiment, the vent openings are elongated in shape. 
     According to an embodiment, the tough point region includes a knurled surface. 
     According to an embodiment, the tough point region is color coded. 
     According to an embodiment, the adapter further comprises a first drip edge positioned proximal to the touch point region. 
     According to an aspect an adapter is provided that extends along a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends and used in conjunction with a liquid spray nozzle having a spray outlet from which a variety of different spray patterns can be selectively actuated by rotation of the spray nozzle, the nozzle adapter comprising a distal region that extends proximally from the distal end and is of a first diameter that is spaced a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis; a touch point region positioned adjacent the proximal end and being manually rotatable to selectively adjust the spray pattern, the touch point region being of a second diameter that is a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first radial distance; and a first drip ring positioned between the distal region and the touch point region. 
     According to an embodiment, the first drip ring is of a third diameter that is a third radial distance away from the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first radial distance and less than the second radial distance. 
     According to an embodiment, the adapter further comprises a bell-shaped region positioned proximal to the first drip ring and distal to the touch point region, wherein the bell-shaped region tapers outwardly from a proximal position towards a distal position and terminates in a drip edge that is a fourth radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is greater than the third radial distance and less than the second radial distance. 
     According to an embodiment, the first drip ring is positioned a first axial distance from the touch point region and the bell-shaped region is positioned a second axial distance from the touch point region that is less than the first axial distance. 
     According to an embodiment, the adapter further comprises a plurality of vent openings formed through the distal region and positioned adjacent to the drip ring. 
     According to an embodiment, the adapter further comprises a dam feature formed within the adapter and proximal relative to the vent openings. 
     According to an embodiment, the tough point region is color coded. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 a -1 c    are illustrations of prior art manually adjustable spray nozzle attached to liquid container. 
         FIGS. 2 a -2 c    are illustrations of the user touch points on prior art manually adjustable liquid spray nozzles. 
         FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    are a perspective view and an enlarged perspective view, respectively, of a user touch point on a prior art manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle. 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are a perspective view and an enlarged perspective view, respectively, of a nozzle adapter for a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional perspective illustration of a nozzle adapter attached to a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional perspective illustration of a nozzle adapter integrated with a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7 a -7 c    are a series of perspective, cross-section, and enlarged perspective detailed views, respectively, of a nozzle adapter attached to a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 8 a -8 c    are a series of perspective, cross-section, and enlarged perspective detailed views, respectively of a nozzle adapter attached to a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a nozzle adapter integrated with a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 10 a -10 c    are a perspective view, a perspective view while in use, and a longitudinal cross-sectional view, respectively, of a nozzle adapter for a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    are a perspective illustration of a prior art manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle in use and illustrating the liquid flow path, respectively. 
         FIGS. 12 a -12 d    are a series of a perspective view of a sprayer, and a perspective view, a side elevation view, and a longitudinal cross-section view, respectively, of a nozzle adapter attached to a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 13 a -13 d    are a series of a perspective view of a sprayer, and a perspective view, a side elevation view, and a longitudinal cross-section view, respectively, of a nozzle adapter attached to a manually adjustable liquid spray nozzle, in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure describes a nozzle or nozzle attachment which comprises features that facilitate use and protects the user from possible fluid exposure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-8 , in one embodiment, is a nozzle ( FIGS. 6-8 )/nozzle attachment ( FIGS. 4 and 5 )  100  (wherein the nozzle attachment of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is adapted for connection to a nozzle  10 ) that extends along a longitudinal axis X-X. Regarding  FIGS. 6-8 , instead of providing a separate nozzle attachment  100  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an aspect of the invention is that the attachment could be integrated into a stand-alone nozzle. For that reason, while reference is made to a nozzle/nozzle assembly throughout, the two terms should be interpreted as synonymous in connection with the present invention. Furthermore, the components described herein can be viewed as equally as applying to a nozzle attachment or a nozzle that has been integrated with an attachment and the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings to refer to the same parts. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , nozzle attachment  100  comprises an elongated body  102  that is sized to fit over and contour the shape of nozzle  10  (while in  FIG. 6 , the body  102  is a part of the actual nozzle), a bell shaped/cone-shaped distal end  104  that includes an inner bell surface  106  and an outer bell surface  108  that terminate in a free drip edge  110 , and a touch point area  112  at the attachment&#39;s proximal end. An intermediate section  114  extends between the bell-shaped distal region  102  and the proximal touch point area  112 . 
     Bell shaped distal end  104  surrounds and tapers outwardly away from the nozzle spray outlet  106 . Liquid that drips from spray outlet  106  will generally be collected within the distal end  104  on surface  106 . With the nozzle held in a horizontal position or downwardly directed angle, any collected liquid would be directed out of distal end  104  and drip off of drip edge  110 ; if the nozzle was held at an upwardly directed angle the liquid would collect within distal end  104  until such time as it was moved to a horizontal position or a downwardly directed angle or could seep through a channel within nozzle attachment  100 . 
     The bell outer surface  108  tapers outwardly away from the user and functions to dissuade or discourage the user from touching or otherwise contacting the nozzle spray end  16  or the areas therearound. 
     The touch point area  112  comprises a ribbed or knurled exterior surface and is or a proportionally larger diameter than the intermediate section  114  and the bell-shaped distal end  104 . The knurls or ribs provide the user with a reliable griping surface to facilitate rotation of the nozzle attachment  100  (and nozzle  10  to which the attachment is rigidly connected). Its proximal position on the nozzle attachment  10  maximizes the distance between the user&#39;s fingers and the spray outlet  106 , further minimizing the risk of the user&#39;s fingers contacting the liquid. Furthermore, the proportionally larger diameter maintains the user&#39;s fingers a predetermined radial distance away from the nozzle  10  that is greater than if the touch area were placed elsewhere or not of an enlarged diameter. The exterior surface of the touch point area may also be color coded to provide further indication to the user of its function. 
     Intermediate section  114  extends between distal bell-shaped end  104  to an exteriorly extending drip ring  116  that is positioned distally adjacent touch point area  112 . From the proximal end of distal bell-shaped end  104 , intermediate section  114  extends proximally there along until it transitions outwardly to a vented region  118 . A series of vent openings  120  are formed through nozzle attachment  100  within the vented region  118  and serve to permit any remnant liquid collected there within to spill outwardly though the vent openings  120 . Drip ring  116  is positioned at the proximal end of vented region  118  and is of a larger diameter than that or vent vented region  120 . A dam feature  122  is positioned interiorly of the attachment at the proximal ends of vent openings  120  and diverts any liquid to pass through the vent openings  120 . Drip ring  116  diverts any liquid dripping out through the vent openings  120  away from the touch point area  112 . In addition, a drip edge positioned at the distal end of vented region  118  also diverts liquid coming through openings  120  away from the user. Thus, attachment/nozzle  100  provides at least three distinct liquid diversion points that are axially spaced from the user&#39;s fingers. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the relative dimensions and proximity of the user&#39;s fingers on the touch point area  112  are illustrated. As measured from the exterior of the touch point area  112 , drip edge  110  of bell-shaped end  104  extends a radial distance R 1  inwardly, while vented region  118  is a radial distance R 2  inwardly, and drip ring  116  is a radial distance R 3  inwardly, wherein R 1  is greater than or equal to R 2  which is greater than R 3 . Consequently, and conversely, touch point area is the farthest radially from the longitudinal axis X-X, while the drip ring is the second farthest radially from the longitudinal axis, and the vented region is radially closest to the longitudinal region. In regard to the lateral distance the user&#39;s fingers would be from the various possible liquid collection surfaces, drip edge  110  is an axial distance L 1  from the proximal end of touch point area  112 , vented region  118  is an axial distance L 2  from the proximal end of touch point area  112 , and drip ring  116  is an axial distance L 3  from the proximal end of touch point area  112 , wherein L 1  is greater than L 2  which is greater than L 3 . Thus, nozzle attachment/nozzle  100  provides a user with a tool to change the spray pattern of a nozzle while minimizing the risk of contacting the liquid being sprayed from the nozzle. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of a nozzle/nozzle attachment  200  is illustrated. Nozzle/nozzle attachment  200  extends along longitudinal axis X-X and comprises a distal bell-shaped end  202 , a touch point area  204  positioned at the proximal end of the attachment/nozzle  200 , an intermediate section  206  extending between the distal end  202  and proximal end  204 . As with nozzle attachment  100 , the bell-shaped distal end  202  comprises the outer and inner bell surfaces  208 ,  210 , respectively, and a drip edge  212  at their boundary which serves to divert any liquid collected on the inner bell surface  210  away from the user. A flow path  214  formed within the attachment/nozzle  200  directs any stray liquid out of the unit and off of a drip edge  216  formed proximally to the end of touch point area  204 . As with nozzle attachment  100 , touch point area  204  is of a greater diameter than the remaining sections of nozzle/attachment  200  to facilitate maintaining radial separation between the user&#39;s fingers and the areas on which liquid can collect and divert. 
       FIG. 11  shows a prior art nozzle  300  analogous to the size/shape/style of nozzle/attachment  200 . With nozzle  300 , liquid will exit the nozzle spray outlet  302  and may run on the outside of the nozzle where it will inevitably contact the user&#39;s finger when rotating the nozzle to change its spray pattern. The nozzle/attachment  200  eliminates or at least minimizes the risk of such contact. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , another embodiment of a nozzle/nozzle attachment  400  is provided. Nozzle/nozzle attachment  400  comprises an extended nozzle configuration that extends along axis X-X between a nozzle spray outlet end  402  and a nut end  404  that serves to interconnect the nozzle/nozzle attachment  400  to a sprayer  406 . As opposed to the bell-shaped distal end provided in prior embodiments, due to the extended length of nozzle/nozzle attachment  400 , an elongated distal region  408  extends from the spray outlet end  402  and includes a series of elongated slotted openings  410  formed therethrough for permitting stray liquid coming from the outlet end  402  to pass through these openings  410 . A first drip ring  412  of a first diameter extends radially outwardly from the proximal end of distal region  408  and serves to capture and divert liquid that passes though openings  410  away from nozzle/nozzle attachment  400 . A dam feature  414  structured in the interior of distal region  408  and the proximal end of openings  410  serves to push liquid through the openings  410  where first drip ring  412  is used to divert the liquid. Any liquid that does not get diverted by and passes over first drip ring  412  will run proximally along a first intermediate region  414  of slightly smaller diameter than first drip ring  412  to a bell-shaped region  416  having the same characteristics as the bell-shaped regions  104 ,  202 , wherein the inner bell surface will capture and divert liquid to a drip edge  418  that is of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of drip edge  412  and serves to further divert the liquid away from the user&#39;s fingers. A second intermediate region  420  extends proximally from bell-shaped region  416  and terminates at the touch point area  422  that is of a diameter larger than that of the bell-shaped region  416 , and thus at a distance that is axially farthest from axis X-X than any other point on nozzle/nozzle attachment  400 , thereby keeping the user&#39;s fingers as far away from liquid as possible. Touch point area  412  is ribbed or knurled and can include indicia or color-coding to further assist the user in adjusting the spray pattern and is positioned distally adjacent nut end  404 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , another embodiment of a nozzle/nozzle attachment  500  is provided. Nozzle/nozzle attachment  500  comprises a shortened wand-end nozzle configuration that extends along axis X-X between a nozzle spray outlet end  502  and a proximal end where the touch point area  504  is positioned and where it is connected to a spray wand  506 . As with the other embodiments, the tough point area  504  is knurled or ribbed and is of a larger diameter than any other area on the nozzle/nozzle attachment  500  thereby maintaining maximum distance of the user&#39;s fingers from the liquid. Nozzle/nozzle attachment  500  comprises a distal region  508  that extends proximally from the nozzle spray outlet end  502  and terminates at a drip ring  510  that is of a diameter larger than that of distal region  508  and is positioned at an intermediate position along the length of nozzle/nozzle adapter  500 . A series of vent openings  512  are formed through distal region  508  in the space immediately adjacent drip ring  510 . As with the other vent openings, these openings permit any stray fluid passing within nozzle/nozzle adapter  500  to escape and be diverted by drip ring  510 . Nozzle/nozzle adapter terminates at its proximal end in touch point region  512  which, as with all the other touch point regions, includes a knurled or ribbed surface and is of a diameter larger than any other area of the nozzle/nozzle adapter so as to space the user&#39;s fingers as far away axially from the liquid as possible. A user can grasp touch point area  512  to rotate nozzle/nozzle adapter  500  and change the spray pattern as desired. 
     While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.