Foam-dispensing nozzle for pressurized fluid delivery apparatus
The present invention provides a foam-dispensing nozzle adapted to receive a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus. The foam-dispensing nozzle includes a one-piece molded body, having a quick-disconnect portion, a discharge portion extending from the quick-disconnect portion, a first passageway through the quick-disconnect portion, and a second passageway through the discharge portion in communication with the first passageway. The foam-dispensing nozzle also includes at least one aperture in the discharge portion communicating the second passageway with the exterior of the discharge portion, a diffuser positioned in the second passageway, and a retainer at least partially positioned within the second passageway adjacent the diffuser. Movement of the pressurized fluid through the first passageway and the second passageway draws air through the at least one aperture in the tubular portion to aerate the pressurized fluid.
The present invention relates to pressurized fluid delivery apparatus, and more particularly to foam-dispensing nozzles for pressurized fluid delivery apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDetergents are commonly used with pressure washers to provide a pressurized soap solution to be sprayed on a surface to be cleaned. To increase the cleaning effectiveness of the soap solution, foamer accessories are used in place of standard soap nozzles to aerate the soap solution, which causes the soap solution to foam. When sprayed onto a surface to be cleaned, the foam adheres to the surface, allowing the detergents in the soap solution to more thoroughly clean the surface. Such roamer accessories typically include many assembled components, and as a result are complex and often expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides, in one aspect, a foam-dispensing nozzle adapted to receive a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus. The foam-dispensing nozzle includes a one-piece molded body having a quick-disconnect portion, a discharge portion extending from the quick-disconnect portion, a first passageway through the quick-disconnect portion, and a second passageway through the discharge portion in communication with the first passageway. The foam-dispensing nozzle also includes at least one aperture in the discharge portion communicating the second passageway with the exterior of the discharge portion, a diffuser positioned in the second passageway, and a retainer at least partially positioned within the second passageway adjacent the diffuser. Movement of the pressurized fluid through the first passageway and the second passageway draws air through the at least one aperture in the tubular portion to aerate the pressurized fluid.
The present invention provides, in another aspect, a foam-dispensing nozzle including a body having an inlet, an outlet, a passageway fluidly communicating the inlet and the outlet, an interior wall at least partially defining the passageway, a step in the interior wall, and one of an outwardly-extending tab and a slot. The foam-dispensing nozzle also includes at least one aperture in the body communicating the passageway with the exterior of the body, a diffuser positioned in the passageway adjacent the step, and a tubular retainer at least partially positioned in the passageway adjacent the diffuser. The retainer includes the other of the outwardly-extending tab and the slot. The tab is engaged with the slot to secure the diffuser and the retainer in the body.
Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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In the illustrated construction of the nozzle 54, a portion of the first passageway 90 between the inlet 78 and the outlet 98 is tapered to increase the speed of the pressurized, diluted soap solution moving through the first passageway 90. Alternatively, the first passageway 90 may be substantially cylindrical. Also, In the illustrated construction of the nozzle 54, a portion of the second passageway 94 is flared from the outlet 98 of the first passageway 90. Specifically, the flared portion of the second passageway 94 defines a draft angle D1 of about 2 degrees. Alternatively, the second passageway 94 may be substantially cylindrical.
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To assemble the nozzle 54, the screen 134 is first positioned in the second passageway 94 against the step 110 in the interior wall 106 (see also
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The female quick-disconnect fitting 58 further includes a sleeve 186 to selectively actuate the locking assembly 174 between the locked position and the unlocked position. The sleeve 186 includes a raised inner surface 190 that, in part, functions as a ramp to selectively actuate the locking assembly 174 between the locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position (see
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During operation of the pressure washer assembly 10 with the foam-dispensing nozzle 54, the pressurized, diluted soap solution flows through the wand 18 when the operator depresses the trigger 42 on the gun assembly 30. From the wand 18, the pressurized, diluted soap solution enters the first passageway 90. The speed of the pressurized, diluted soap solution is increased as it moves through the tapered portion of the first passageway 90. The pressurized, diluted soap solution is then discharged from the outlet 98 of the first passageway 90 into the second passageway 94. The apertures 122 in the discharge portion 70 of the body 62 are positioned close enough to the outlet 98 of the first passageway 90 such that the spray of diluted soap solution discharged from the outlet 98 impacts the interior wall 106 of the second passageway 94 downstream of the apertures 122.
The movement of the pressurized, diluted soap solution through the second passageway 94 creates a pressure differential between the second passageway 94 and the exterior of the body 62. The pressure differential draws air through the apertures 122 to aerate the pressurized, diluted soap solution, which causes it to foam. The foam passes through the screen 134 and the interior passageway 142 of the retainer 130, which together straighten the discharge of the foam, before it is discharged from the outlet 82 of the body 62.
The foam-dispensing nozzle 54 of the present invention includes only three components: the one-piece molded body 62, the diffuser 126, and the retainer 130. As a result, the present invention provides a simplified assembly process, which is facilitated by integrally molded features such as the key 146, keyway 114, tabs 150, slots 118, and the step 110. This stands in sharp contrast to conventional roamer accessories, which may include over ten different components that require just as many assembly steps and several tools with which to assemble the components. By reducing the number of components and assembly steps involved, the present invention also provides a foam-dispensing nozzle 54 that can be manufactured at a reduced cost compared to conventional roamer accessories.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A foam-dispensing nozzle adapted to receive a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus, the foam-dispensing nozzle comprising:
- a one-piece molded body, including a quick-disconnect portion; a discharge portion extending from the quick-disconnect portion; a first passageway through the quick-disconnect portion; a second passageway through the discharge portion in communication with the first passageway;
- at least one aperture in the discharge portion communicating the second passageway with the exterior of the discharge portion;
- a diffuser positioned in the second passageway; and
- a retainer at least partially positioned within the second passageway adjacent the diffuser, wherein movement of the pressurized fluid through the first passageway and the second passageway draws air through the at least one aperture in the tubular portion to aerate the pressurized fluid.
2. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, wherein the quick-disconnect portion includes a male quick-disconnect fitting.
3. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, wherein the first passageway includes an inlet and an outlet, and wherein at least a portion of the first passageway between the inlet and the outlet is tapered to increase the speed of the pressurized fluid moving through the first passageway.
4. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, wherein the second passageway includes an inlet and an outlet, and wherein at least a portion of the second passageway between the inlet and the outlet is flared.
5. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes a screen.
6. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, wherein the body includes
- an interior wall at least partially defining the second passageway;
- a step in the interior wall against which the diffuser is positioned;
- one of an outwardly-extending tab and a slot;
- wherein the retainer includes the other of the outwardly-extending tab and the slot, and wherein the tab is engaged with the slot to secure the diffuser and the retainer in the body.
7. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, wherein the retainer is tubular, and wherein the pressurized fluid flows through the retainer.
8. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, wherein the body includes
- an interior wall at least partially defining the second passageway;
- one of a key and a keyway formed on the interior wall;
- wherein the retainer includes the other of the key and the keyway, and wherein the key is engaged with the keyway to orient the retainer relative to the body.
9. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 1, further comprising an overmold covering at least a portion of the body.
10. A foam-dispensing nozzle adapted to receive a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus, the foam-dispensing nozzle comprising:
- a body including an inlet; an outlet; a passageway fluidly communicating the inlet and the outlet; an interior wall at least partially defining the passageway; a step in the interior wall; one of an outwardly-extending tab and a slot;
- at least one aperture in the body communicating the passageway with the exterior of the body;
- a diffuser positioned in the passageway adjacent the step; and
- a tubular retainer at least partially positioned in the passageway adjacent the diffuser, the retainer including the other of the outwardly-extending tab and the slot, wherein the tab is engaged with the slot to secure the diffuser and the retainer in the body.
11. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 10, wherein the body is a one-piece molded body including
- a quick-disconnect portion; and
- a discharge portion extending from the quick-disconnect portion.
12. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 11, wherein the passageway includes
- a first portion through the quick-disconnect portion; and
- a second portion through the discharge portion in communication with the first portion.
13. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 12, wherein the first portion is at least partially tapered to increase the speed of the pressurized fluid moving through the first portion of the passageway.
14. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 12, wherein the second portion is at least partially flared from the first portion.
15. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 10, wherein the diffuser includes a screen.
16. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 10, wherein the body includes one of a key and a keyway formed on the interior wall, wherein the retainer includes the other of the key and the keyway, and wherein the key is engaged with the keyway to orient the retainer relative to the body.
17. The foam-dispensing nozzle of claim 10, further comprising an overmold covering at least a portion of the body.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 5, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 7, 2007
Inventor: Neil Gansebom (Madison, WI)
Application Number: 11/294,264
International Classification: E03C 1/08 (20060101);