Abstract: A nozzle for forming a spray pattern of micro droplets. The nozzle comprises a flow member having at least one face and a plurality of discrete grooves formed in the at least one face. One or more cover member is located over the face to cover the grooves so as to define a series of discrete channels. Each channel has a fluid inlet end that receives liquid to be sprayed and a fluid outlet end from which microdroplets are emitted.

Abstract: A device to measure the characteristics of droplets within a stream of liquid droplets used in spraying includes a light source supplying light across the stream of droplets; a detector to detect change in the light level caused by a passing droplet, the detector generating a signal according to the change in light; and a processor to analyze the characteristics of the droplets in the stream based on the signal produced by the detection means. The light passes through a slit in a panel disposed between the droplet stream and the detector, so that the change in level of light detected by the detector is proportional to the diameter of the droplet.