Rotating Whirler Patents (Class 239/383)
  • Patent number: 11813623
    Abstract: A showerhead engine internally swirls water within a swirling chamber. Multiple swirling chambers may be used, each separated from one another. The water is swirled angled through holes in a mid plate. As the water passes through the angled holes, it is projected out an angle. The water then contacts the swirling chamber wall and continues to follow the curvature of the wall. The curved wall paired with the angled entry causes the water to continue to swirl within the swirling chamber. The water is released out of the swirling chamber through slots, which allow the water to retain the angular velocity at a discharge angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Americas Residential Inc.
    Inventor: Oscar Romero
  • Patent number: 11583872
    Abstract: A showerhead engine includes a first plate joined to a second plate with a cavity therebetween. Water enters the cavity through an angled hole in the first plate and flows in a swirling motion about the central axis. A paddle wheel is spun within the cavity by the swirling water. A notched cutout in the paddle wheel forms an exit passage through a through hole in the second plate allowing the water to exit when the notched cutout lines up with slots in the second plate. The revolving paddle wheel continues to revolve thereby revolving the notched cutout and producing a revolving spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Zachary Keoki Hong
  • Patent number: 11504724
    Abstract: A showerhead engine internally swirls water within a swirling chamber. Multiple swirling chambers may be used, each separated from one another. The water is swirled angled through holes in a mid plate. As the water passes through the angled holes, it is projected out an angle. The water then contacts the swirling chamber wall and continues to follow the curvature of the wall. The curved wall paired with the angled entry causes the water to continue to swirl within the swirling chamber. The water is released out of the swirling chamber through slots, which allow the water to retain the angular velocity at a discharge angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Oscar Romero
  • Patent number: 11229920
    Abstract: A showerhead is provided having a housing, a perforate partition and a nozzle body. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The perforate partition is provided in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and has at least one peripheral fluid passage communicating with the fluid inlet. Each peripheral fluid passage communicates at a downstream end with an inwardly extending peripheral slot, and each slot communicates at a downstream end with a mixing cavity. The nozzle body is carried by the housing downstream of the mixing cavity and has a compression port at an upstream end and an outlet port at a downstream end in fluid communication with the compression port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Jere F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 11179733
    Abstract: A water path switching device includes a valve body, a rotating shaft, a rotating plate, a first valve core and a second valve core. The valve body is provided with a valve cavity, a water inlet, and at least two water outlets. The rotating shaft is rotationally connected to the valve body, and is provided with an outer end located outside the valve cavity and an inner end located inside the valve cavity. The rotating plate is arranged in the valve cavity and connected to the inner end of the rotating shaft so as to rotate with the rotating shaft. The first valve core is provided with a first sliding-contact part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: XIAMEN KEEKOE SANITARY WARE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chao Wang, Jingbiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11097293
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a water outlet device, comprising: at least one rotatable driving member, at least one injector, and a main body with a plurality of water outflow passages. The main body comprises at least one accommodating cavity, each of the at least one rotatable driving member is driven to rotate by water flow, and each of the at least one rotatable driving member drives the corresponding one of the at least one injector to rotate in the corresponding one of the at least one accommodating cavity. Each of the at least one injector comprises at least one injection hole, the at least one injection hole is connected to the corresponding one of the plurality of water outflow passages, and a water outflow direction of the at least one injection hole and an axial direction of the corresponding one of the plurality of water outflow passage forms an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shilong Wu, Wenxing Chen, Fengde Lin
  • Patent number: 10967392
    Abstract: A trigger sprayer is described which utilizes a ball valve to control the flow of a carrier fluid such as water. The ball valve is actuated by a trigger which is biases to the open position by a torsion spring. Provision is made for the trigger sprayer to draw a chemical solution from a supply container and meter it through one or more outlet devices for providing streams in the form of fan or mist sprays, or other shaped sprays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph K. Dodd
  • Patent number: 10675642
    Abstract: The invention is characterized by consisting of a body (1) with a central cavity (2) having an open inlet-port (3), and one or multiple cylindrical shaped cavities (4i), which are connected to the central cavity via one or 5 more openings (5i) with cross section areas less that the cylindrical cavity (4i), and where there is one centrally located opening (6i) in the cylindrical cavity end surfaces opposite the openings (5i) into the central cavity (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VID FIRE-KILL APS
    Inventor: Carsten Palle
  • Patent number: 10549290
    Abstract: A showerhead engine internally swirls water within a swirling chamber. Multiple swirling chambers may be used, each separated from one another. The water is swirled with angled through holes in a mid plate. As the water passes through the angled holes it is projected out at an angle. The water then contacts the swirling chamber wall and continues to follow the curvature of the wall. The curved wall paired with the angled entry causes the water to continue to swirl within the swirling chamber. The water is released out of the swirling chamber through slots, which allow the water to retain the angular velocity at a discharge angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Oscar Romero
  • Patent number: 10376903
    Abstract: The present invention provides an overhead shower head, which needn't a wrench when assembled and disassembled, the overhead shower head comprises a shower head main body and a universal ball disposed in a ball fixing seat at the rear side of the shower head main body; wherein an abutting fitting portion is disposed between the universal ball and the ball fixing seat, when the universal ball and the ball fixing seat rotate relatively, the abutting fitting portion abuts in the rotating direction, so that the universal ball and the ball fixing seat rotate together. The assembly and disassembly of the overhead shower head of the present invention can be achieved by just rotating the shower head main body without using tools such as a wrench, the assembly is fast and convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghai Chen, Yuehua Qiu, Qihua Fan, Wenxing Chen
  • Patent number: 10251459
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air vibration apparatus which is coupled to a blowing port of a hair dryer to vibrate air, the air vibration apparatus including: a pipe-shaped adapter which is coupled to a blowing port and into which air flows; a rotating unit which includes a pipe-shaped rotating body which is rotatably coupled to the inside of the adapter, into which the air flows from one end, and which rotates by means of the air, and a control bar coupled to the rotating body to be extended from the rotating body; and a rotating blade unit which is hinge-coupled to an end portion of the adapter by means of a hinge portion and comes in contact with the control bar to vibrate based on the hinge portion according to the rotation of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: UNIX ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung Gu Lee, Han Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 9995052
    Abstract: A device is configured for use in a swimming pool structure, the swimming pool structure including a pool and a circulation system having a piping assembly and a pump for cyclically communicating water through the piping assembly. The device includes a collar configured to be coupled directly to the piping assembly. The collar includes an upstream bottom and a downstream top. The collar includes a lower inlet at the bottom of the collar for fluid communication with the piping assembly. The collar includes an opening at the top of the collar which leads to a chamber within the collar, the chamber for holding an insert. The collar includes an upper inlet at the top of the collar for fluid communication with the pool. The collar includes a truncated open-ended cone carried downstream from the lower inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas V. Lopez
  • Patent number: 9908126
    Abstract: The spray head for a pre-rinse assembly includes a discharge cover having a plurality of ports for discharging water and a diffuser within discharge cover having a circumferential wall with at least one slot for directing a jet of water onto the fins of a rotatable impeller within the diffuser. The impeller has a plurality of tabs disposed relative to the ports whereby a respective tab momentarily covers a respective port to prevent passage of water therethrough during rotation of said impeller thereby effecting a pulsating stream of water through a respective port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: COMPONENT HARDWARE GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brion Gompper, Varanjitsinh Chudasama
  • Patent number: 9808811
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet, a first tank, and a second tank. The inlet is configured to receive water from a water source. The first tank is associated with a plurality of first outlets configured to pass water from the first tank. The second tank is associated with a plurality of second outlets configured to pass water from the second tank. The second tank is configured to receive and collect water from the inlet and also to distribute water to the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 9718068
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet, a reservoir, a plurality of first outlets, and a plurality of second outlets. The inlet is for receiving water from a water source, and is configured to restrict water flow from the water source to a maximum inlet flow rate. The reservoir receives from the inlet. The plurality of first outlets are configured to pass water from the reservoir. The plurality of second outlets are configured to selectively pass water from the reservoir. The shower assembly is configured for a user to selectively control whether water passes through the plurality of second outlets. A sum of a first collective flow rate of the plurality of first outlets and a second collective flow rate of the plurality of second outlets is greater than the maximum inlet flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 9656281
    Abstract: A shower head jet disk (4) has inlet and outlet openings (8, 9) on opposite sides, with a passage duct (10a, 10b) fluidically connecting each outlet to at least one inlet. An upstream control disk (2) is rotatable relative to the jet disk and has a control slot pattern (131, 134) opening the inlets depending on the rotational position of the control disk. The control slot pattern and the inlets are coordinated such that two adjacent inlet openings (8a, 8b) that correspond with a common outlet opening (9) via two passage ducts (10a, 10b) with non-parallel side walls (12a, 12b) provide different jet outlet directions (Sa, Sb), or two regions of an inlet opening that corresponds with an outlet opening via a passage duct with non-parallel side wall regions provide different jet directions, or two adjacent inlet openings that correspond with two adjacent outlet openings are opened, in alternating fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HANSGROHE SE
    Inventor: Ulrich Kinle
  • Patent number: 9573143
    Abstract: A side spraying shower head includes an inlet waterway; a cover unit with a first and second water cavity; a water diversion body covering the cover unit, the water diversion body having a first inlet hole connected to the first water cavity and a second inlet hole connected to the second water cavity; a fixation base attached to the water diversion body, the fixation base including a first connection waterway and a second connection; a switch shaft, laterally movable inside the fixation base, the central portion of the switch shaft including a seal portion disposed between the first and second connection waterway; a press mechanism attached to the cover unit to push the switch shaft to close the second connection waterway; an elastic element abuts against the switch shaft and the fixation base to push the switch shaft to close the first connection waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengde Lin, Wenxing Chen, Jincan Zhang, Huasong Zhou
  • Patent number: 9314801
    Abstract: The invention proposes a shower head, in particular for showers that are fixed in position, for example an overhead shower. The shower head has various options for the water to exit the jet disk. A switching device is provided to engage these different options individually or in combination. This may function in a way known as such with the use of sloping surfaces that slide along one another. The jet disk itself serves to actuate the switching device, and pressure is exerted by the user in the direction opposite that in which the water jets exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hansgrohe SE
    Inventors: Guenter Glunk, Fabian Melle
  • Patent number: 9295997
    Abstract: A showerhead having structural features providing a vibrant spray pattern includes a faceplate, a turbine, and a water distributor, among other elements. The spray pattern is facilitated by the interaction of slots in the turbine, which overly troughs formed in the faceplate. The slots in the turbine meter the flow of water into the troughs. The rotation of the turbine is facilitated by a water distributor having sloped channels which direct inlet water against vanes in the turbine. A unique distribution and orientation of spray apertures and ramp configurations in the faceplate contribute to produce a vibrant spray pattern and a unique showering experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SPEAKMAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Harwanko, Alexandru Neagoe
  • Patent number: 9295863
    Abstract: A new haptic flow indicator has a spinner that is mounted for rotation and provides a discernable haptic feedback to a firefighter when liquid flow through the indicator falls in a selected range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TASK FORCE TIPS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stewart McMillan, David J. Kolacz
  • Patent number: 9238236
    Abstract: A waterway switch valve set and a shower head using same includes a fixed unit with an inlet waterway and a rotation unit rotatably connected to the fixed unit. The rotation has a water diversion base and a sealing component unit and can rotate about a rotation axis. The water diversion base is has a cooperated surface vertical to the rotation axis, the cooperated surface is disposed with a plurality of diversion water holes annularly arranged about the rotation axis, the diversion water holes are available to connect to the inlet waterway; the sealing component has a rotation frame and a plurality of press blocks, the rotation frame and the water diversion base are assembled together, and form a synchronous rotation relationship, the press blocks are slidably connected to the rotation frame and are available to slide parallel to the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignees: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Hui Huang, Jianmin Chen, Yulin Wu
  • Patent number: 8915455
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a massage shower that can achieve the dynamic switch of the water flow, it comprises a hollow essential body, a oblique water body, a impeller that is under the said oblique water body, a face cover component that has the effluent holes and a moving plate used to switch the effluent holes of different areas in the face cover component, the said impeller and the said moving plate are connected through a differential gearing transmission retarding mechanism. The said massage shower can achieve the dynamic switch of different effluent holes on the face cover of the shower during the using process, and achieve excellent massage effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Ziguang Liu, Jianmin Chen
  • Patent number: 8905332
    Abstract: A dual turbine showerhead provides multiple spray modes emanating from the head. The showerhead includes an inlet orifice, a backplate, a first turbine located side-by-side with a second turbine, a faceplate forming a first orifice group and a second orifice group, a first fluid channel in fluid communication with the first and second turbines and the first orifice group, and a second fluid channel in fluid communication with the second orifice group. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes first and a second turbines located side-by-side and a valve body that channels a fluid to the first turbine and the second turbine. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes a first and a second turbine located side-by-side along a centerline of the showerhead, a corresponding outlet region is arranged along the centerline and additional outlet regions are laterally spaced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
  • Patent number: 8517287
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a water reducing shower nozzle assembly having a main body with a cavity defined therein, and the cavity includes a fan-shaped cavity and a funnel-shaped cavity. A plurality of jets are synchronously driven by a quasi-blade device inside the fan-shaped cavity, and the funnel-shaped cavity comprises an outlet disposed thereon. The jets, being driven by the quasi-blade device allow less water into the outlet to save water; due to jets rotating periodically and the specific configuration of the funnel-shaped cavity, water can be formed in dense water drops and sprayed out from the outlet in multiple directions, thereby maintaining the same water power as conventional showering nozzles without a water reducer with synchronously rotated jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Huasong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8308085
    Abstract: The present invention provides a showerhead that allows a bather to switch among at least three different water delivery functions. In the first function, the showerhead delivers a concentrated fluttering spray at a rate not to exceed 1.5 GPM (5.75 GPM). In the second function, the showerhead delivers a combined spray pattern, wherein the fluttering spray and a radially dispersed precision spray are simultaneously delivered to the bather at a rate not to exceed 2.0 GPM (7.57 L/min) for the combined water flow. In the third function, the showerhead delivers the precision spray pattern at a rate not to exceed 2.0 L/min (7.57 GPM). The combination spray pattern is effected without compromising either the desirable massaging and cleaning effect of water delivery or the inherent water conservation benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: AS IP Holdco, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Meisner, Walter Pitsch, Tung Hsien Lu
  • Patent number: 8292200
    Abstract: A showerhead with multiple modes of operation may include a first turbine and a second turbine, each disposed within a unique flow channel. The first and second turbines may interrupt water flow through their respective flow channels, thereby providing at least one pulsating water spray emanating from the showerhead. The showerhead may include a third flow channel having no turbine disposed therein, such that water flowing through the third flow channel is not interrupted and thus emitted from the showerhead as a drenching spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Damian Macan, Michael J. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20120261493
    Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structure includes a body, a cover, a rotor and a leak-stop assembly. The body has one axial end being an inlet, the other axial end being an outlet, and a channel connecting the inlet to the outlet. The cover is disposed on the outlet of the body. The rotor is movably accommodated within the channel of the body. The leak-stop assembly is composed of a spring and a plug and disposed in the channel. One surface of the rotor has a locking structure for prohibiting the spring from parting from the rotor in a state where the leak-stop assembly is combined with the rotor. When the elements are separated from one another, the rotor and the leak-stop assembly may be taken out of the channel of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Hui Ting Hsu
  • Patent number: 8056831
    Abstract: A self-powered foam (e.g. compressed-air foam (CAF)) distributor has a rotor mechanism with impingement surfaces against which foam impinges to rotate the rotor. The rotor is mounted on an inlet shaft geared to an output shaft. A rotary outlet is mounted to the output shaft so that foam entering the distributor rotates the rotary outlet, which in turn projects foam around in a circular sweep. The rotary outlet can rotate over a full 360 degrees, providing superior coverage for a large floor space, such as in hangars or warehouses, with less water and concentrate than in unfoamed conventional systems. Having a compact vertical profile this versatile distributor can be installed in a floor trench of a hangar or on a wall or ceiling. Since all rotational energy is harnessed from the pressure of the foam itself, no external energy source is required to power the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventor: George Patrick Crampton
  • Patent number: 8020788
    Abstract: A showerhead providing an improved pause mode that restricts the amount of water emanating from the head. The showerhead includes a first and second outlet nozzle, a valve body operative to be in fluid communication with a shower pipe, the valve body having first and second flow channels in fluid communication with the shower pipe, each of which is also in fluid communication with one of the outlet nozzles. The first and second flow channels have different cross-sectional areas. In another embodiment, the valve body further includes a valve center in fluid communication between the first flow channel and the shower pipe, and is also in fluid communication between the second flow channel and the shower pipe. The valve body further defines a first hole in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the valve center, and a second hole in fluid communication with the second flow channel and the valve center, with the second hole having a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
  • Patent number: 7946512
    Abstract: A shower head for a hand-held shower attachment contains, in the center of its jet disc, an insert with three individual nozzle bodies. Each individual nozzle body is designed for discharging an individual jet. To this end, it has a continuous jet opening. Each of these in individual nozzle bodies is mounted in a manner that enables it to move relative to the shower head and to the jet disc, and is placed in rotation by a water-driven rotor. Said continuous jet opening extends at an angle to the rotation axis of the individual nozzle body. When the individual nozzle body rotates, the jet exiting there from moves on an envelope of a cone. Each individual nozzle body, contains an aerating device that aspirates the air immediately next to the outlet opening and, inside the individual nozzle body, mixes the air with the water entering this individual nozzle body. As a result, the individual nozzle body discharges an aerated jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Franz Schorn
  • Patent number: 7896259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water saving showerhead that allows a bather to switch among at least three different water delivery functions. In the first function, the showerhead delivers a concentrated fluttering spray. In the second function, the showerhead delivers a combined spray pattern, wherein the fluttering spray and a radially dispersed precision spray are simultaneously delivered to the bather. In the third function, the showerhead delivers the precision spray pattern. The combination spray pattern is effected without compromising either the desirable massaging and cleaning effect of water delivery or the inherent water conservation benefits. In addition, the showerhead of the present invention provides an automatic return feature for return of the showerhead to the first function when water pressure to the showerhead falls below a predetermined bottom threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: As IP Holdco, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Meisner, Walter Pitsch, Tung Hsien Lu
  • Patent number: 7850098
    Abstract: A spray head for a power sprayer configured to generate a continuous sheet-like water shield around a center stream of water is disclosed. A water delivery device for use with a sink is disclosed, the water delivery device may produce a stream of water surrounded by a continuous shield of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: John D. Vogel, Michael Scot Rosko, Patrick B. Jonte, Ryan A. Reeder
  • Patent number: 7740186
    Abstract: An improved shower head having multiple modes of operation. The shower head may include a first turbine and turbine, each disposed within a unique flow channel. The first and second turbines may interrupt water flow through their respective flow channels, thereby providing at least one pulsating water spray emanating from the shower head. The shower head may include a third flow channel having no turbine disposed therein, such that water flowing through the third flow channel is not interrupted and thus emitted from the shower head as a drenching spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Damian Macan, Michael J. Quinn
  • Patent number: 7740191
    Abstract: A shower device includes: a driving unit including a housing and a core allowed to reciprocate by water which is introduced into the housing; a shower part allowed to swing; a water guide channel introducing water which is introduced into the housing to the shower part; and a power transmission part transmitting a motion of the core to the shower part. The shower part sprinkles water while swinging when water is introduced into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ohashi, Ryoko Ishimaru, Kazuki Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7731103
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a viscous, flowable product such, for example, as a spin-art paint solution, comprises an axially extending container that defines an opening and an interior chamber for receiving and storing the flowable product. A discharge assembly is coupled to the container, the discharge assembly being dimensioned and arranged to spin, relative to the container, as it receives the flowable product from the interior chamber. The spinning motion of the discharge assembly, which may be accompanied by a linear movement of the container itself relative to a target surface, allows the user to cleanly and evenly distribute the flowable material onto a target substrate in an attractive, curvilinear deposit pattern. Optionally, the discharge assembly may be configured with a pivoting nozzle that can be moved from a position for obtaining a helical (curvilinear) deposit pattern to a position for obtaining a rectilinear deposit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Tropical Ventures LLC
    Inventor: Alan B. Amron
  • Patent number: 7584906
    Abstract: An assembly for converting a fluid flow includes a housing having an inlet end for receiving the fluid flow and an outlet end for issuing a converted and output fluid flow. One or more rotatable components are supported within the housing, in a path contacting the inlet fluid flow. A selected component exhibits a plurality of arcuate and flow conducting surfaces, such as which are arranged about a circumference of the rotating component. A fluid dampening element is operatively connected to the rotating component and restricts a rotational speed associated with the rotatable component, in response to rotational forces imparted by the inlet fluid flow, and in order to modify at least one of a flow and pulse rate of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Mordechai Lev
  • Patent number: 7571867
    Abstract: A showerhead with a turbocharger mechanism including a showerhead housing and a turbo-compressor unit is provided. The showerhead housing has a water inlet port for introducing a water flow, a case wall that gradually expands, and a water drainage panel. The turbo-compressor unit is accommodated in a housing chamber and includes a compressor compartment where the water flow is converted into a vortex flow, a turbo-pump impeller accommodated in the compressor compartment, and a turbo-generator capable of generating electric energy. The turbo-generator is electrically connected to an illumination means, so as to emit light beams. The present invention is provided with the turbocharger mechanism, so as to make use of the water flow flowing through the showerhead effectively to generate electricity for illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Wei Hu
  • Publication number: 20090188995
    Abstract: A faucet apparatus includes: a rotatable rotor vane which is disposed in a water supply channel, and in which an axial direction is substantially parallel to the water supply channel; a magnet which is rotatable integrally with the rotor vane; a coil which is disposed to be opposed to one end face in an axial direction of the magnet; and a controller which is disposed on a side of the one end face of the magnet and above the water supply channel, and which is connected to the coil through wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki ONODERA, Tomoko Sato, Masahiro Kuroishi, Makoto Hatakeyama, Takeshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7552878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor nozzle, in particular for high pressure cleaning devices, having a nozzle housing which has a swirl chamber between an inflow opening for a fluid, in particular water, and a discharge opening, with a rotor inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis during operation being supported at its front end at a bearing, in particular at a cup-shaped bearing, in said swirl chamber and with the rotor being able to be driven to make a rotating movement around the longitudinal axis by fluid flowing into the swirl chamber, wherein an adjustment device is positioned in front of the swirl chamber for the speed regulation of the rotor and forces the inflowing fluid to make a rotary movement around the longitudinal axis for the generation of a rotating fluid field before the transition into the swirl chamber, and wherein the rotating fluid field is disrupted more or less pronouncedly on the transition into the swirl chamber in dependence on the position of the adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Anton Jäger
  • Publication number: 20090159724
    Abstract: A fluid spray apparatus, such as a multi-function showerhead, produces a pulsating spray pattern by rotation of a turbine in a chamber under the force of the fluid flowing through the fluid spray apparatus. A portion of the fluid flowing through the fluid spray apparatus is used to create a fluidic bearing so that the turbine does not contact a wall of the chamber during normal operation of the fluid spray apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Mark S. Kacik
  • Patent number: 7520448
    Abstract: A shower head providing an improved pause mode that restricts the amount of water emanating from the head. The shower head includes a first and second outlet nozzle, a valve body operative to be in fluid communication with a shower pipe, the valve body having first and second flow channels in fluid communication with the shower pipe, each of which is also in fluid communication with one of the outlet nozzles. The first and second flow channels have different cross-sectional areas. In another embodiment, the valve body further includes a valve center in fluid communication between the first flow channel and the shower pipe, and is also in fluid communication between the second flow channel and the shower pipe. The valve body further defines a first hole in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the valve center, and a second hole in fluid communication with the second flow channel and the valve center, with the second hole having a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
  • Patent number: 7516908
    Abstract: The present invention may be used for discharging a fire retardant material. A container element may be connected to a pressurized gas source controllable to pressurize the container element and to flow a gas and fire retardant material mixture through a discharge conduit. A discharge device may be connected at an inlet to the discharge conduit. The discharge device may have an inlet duct attached to an inlet end of an expansion section. The expansion section may be connected to an inlet end of an outlet duct having an outlet nozzle. A diffuser may be disposed in the inlet duct and an upstream portion and may be attached in the upstream portion. The diffuser may have a nose element attached by a diffuser shaft to a base element with a rotor element having multiple vanes rotatably attached to the diffuser shaft intermediate the nose and base elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: George E. Sack
  • Patent number: 7475833
    Abstract: A sprinkling head structure of a sprinkler includes a sprinkling head and a guide section. The sprinkling head is a substantially hollow cylindrical body. A first face of the sprinkling head is formed with multiple first outgoing openings which are annularly arranged. A second face of the sprinkling head is formed with multiple second incoming openings respectively corresponding to the first outgoing openings. The guide section is disposed inside the sprinkling head, including multiple passages and at least one channel. The passages communicate with two faces of the guide section. First ends and second ends of the passages respectively correspond to the first openings and second openings. The channel directly communicates with at least two of the passages. The water flow can be at the same time discharged from at least two of the first openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Gordon Chih
  • Patent number: 7410107
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations and distribution. The apparatus includes a body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. In one aspect, a rotatable impeller is positioned between inlet and plurality of outlets. The impeller includes a spiral fluid pathway relative to direction of substance through the inlet so that the substance passes through the impeller and is distributed to the outlets through a spinning impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Mark Hanna, Paul M. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20080156897
    Abstract: A showerhead may include a housing, a jet disk, a turbine, and a shutter. The housing may include a fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and one or more outlets. The jet disk, turbine, and shutter may be placed in the cavity. The shutter may include at least one opening. The shutter may selectively cover and uncover fluid outlets, thus selectively fluidly connecting the fluid outlets with the chamber. Water flowing through the housing causes the turbine to spin. As the turbine spins, the shutter rotates at a slower speed than the turbine to produce a periodic interruption of water flow through the outlets by covering and uncovering the outlets as the shutter rotates within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland C. Leber
  • Publication number: 20080111006
    Abstract: An adjustable rotation shower tap of present invention comprising: a tube with a pivot portion at one end. There is a guide tube that can be rotated by water pressure pivots inside the pivot portion. A rotation shower tap with plurality spout holes thereon mounts on the guide tube. A adjust member pivots on the pivot portion with a rub portion on the bottom side to against the rotation shower tap and provides friction to adjust the rotation speed. There is a limit portion on the adjust member. A resister that mounts on the pivot portion has a stopper thereon. The stopper locates in the limit portion of the adjust member to limit the rotate angle of the adjust member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-Chen Shieh
  • Publication number: 20080006721
    Abstract: A mist nozzle easy to disassemble comprises a combination of a body and a locking cap; a water-stopping unit having a ball stopper and a spring is configured inside the combination of the body; and a rotator is configured between the water-stopping unit and the locking cap, the rotator has a protruding contact strip and a protruding retainer disposed on one end thereof corresponding to the water-stopping unit. When the locking cap is separated from the body, the rotator is exposed, and the moment of taking the rotator out, the protruding retainer picks out the spring and the ball stopper of the water-stopping unit as well, so that the components inside the body have the convenience of departing off that is helpful for cleaning the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Yu-Chiung Huang
  • Patent number: 7261248
    Abstract: A spray nozzle that includes a nozzle body defining a first surface, a cap defining a second surface able to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween, and a turbine having a plurality of radially extending fins circumferentially positioned about the nozzle opening for directing the flow of fluid exiting the nozzle opening. The turbine is rotatably connected to the cap such that the nozzle opening is free of any portion of the turbine. The spray nozzle further includes a grinding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Harold D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7114666
    Abstract: A shower head having dual turbines. The shower head includes a body having an inlet for connection to a water conduit, a first outlet nozzle formed on the body, a second outlet nozzle formed on the body, a first turbine operably connected to the first outlet nozzle, and a second turbine operably connected to the second outlet nozzle. The shower head may include a flow actuation system taking the form of an actuator ring, a valve connected to the actuator ring and forming a flow channel, a first actuation point defined on the actuator ring, a second actuation point defined on the actuator ring, and a plunger situated within the flow channel. The plunger extends radially outwardly from a center of the valve when aligned with one of the first and second actuation points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
  • Patent number: 7111795
    Abstract: A shower head with structural features for providing a water spray pattern having revolving characteristics is disclosed. The shower head includes an inlet assembly connectable to a water source and a cooperatively engaged outlet assembly including a body having a front facing surface, an impeller having a plurality of blades and a rotator assembly having a spray surface defining a plurality of spray apertures. The rotator spray surface forms a portion of the front facing surface. A seal spacer disposed between the inlet assembly and the front facing surface has a plurality of radially spaced ports. Each port is axially transverse to a plane of the seal spacer. Water flow through the ports creates a multi-directional water current downstream from the spacer to drive the impeller and consequently, cause rotation of the rotator spray surface and water emission in a revolving spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Waxman Consumer Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Chow Hwa Thong