Adjustable Scalloped Needle Valve for a Spray Nozzle

Abstract

An adjustable spray nozzle adapted to fit a pressurized aerosol can. The nozzle includes a body, a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body, and an adjustable needle valve with a tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage. The needle valve regulates flow within the fluid passage. The tip of the needle valve has a contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path in the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path. In one embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip includes at least one longitudinally oriented flat surface segment defined in the surface of the tip. In another embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip includes at least one longitudinally oriented concave surface segment defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Technology

The disclosure relates to the field of needle valves, in particular to needle valves for use in an adjustable spray nozzle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Aerosol paint is commonly used for small painting tasks. Various paint types and container sizes are used to meet a variety of needs. The paint is generally contained in a pressurized can, and a simple nozzle resides on a stem extending from the top of the can. The stem is extends from an underlying valve which is activated or opened by pressing downwardly on the stem. The nozzles typically are removable to clean or replace if necessary.

While aerosol paint cans provide ease of use, they are not very versatile. In contrast, common air brushes allow adjustment of a spray pattern, and thus allow for much more detailed or controlled painting. Unfortunately, air brushes also have added cost and require a separate compressed air source. As a result, aerosol cans with nozzles are much more common than air brushes, and adjustable nozzles have been developed for such aerosol cans to overcome some of the deficiencies of non-adjustable nozzles.

Furthermore, spray nozzles designed for standard paint are inadequate for texture based paints. Texture based paint, also known as “orange peel” or “mud,” is paint that has been premixed with particulate matter so that when applied to a surface such as a wall or ceiling, a textured or relief surface is created. Textured paint will often be used in place of wallpaper and is becoming increasingly popular as a home decor option. Because textured paint comprises particulate matter which may clog or otherwise block the internal pathways of a standard aerosol can spray nozzle, it must be applied by high powered and large air guns which are dedicated for applying textured paints only. In some cases, textured paint may only be applied with a brush or paint roller, thus dramatically increasing the length of time required for application.

Adjustable nozzles for use with common aerosol spray cans are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,932 for “Valve Button With Aspirator Passageway,” and U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,756 for “Adjustable-Spray Mechanism.” The adjustable nozzles described in the '932 patent and the '756 patent include cylindrical adjusters cooperating with valving portions of fluid passages, thereby allowing adjustment of a fluid flow through the fluid passage. The fluid passages are in fluid cooperation with the stem extending from a spray car and include a vertical portion, and then a horizontal portion including the valving portion. Unfortunately, because the valving portion is not aligned with the vertical portion, the valves are difficult to clean, and therefore clog easily. The nozzles described in the '932 patent and the '756 patent further do not provide means to adjust a spray pattern from the nozzles.

Additional spray nozzles for common use are described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,833,983 for “Valve,” and U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,550 for “Automatic Intermittent Spray Valve for Pressurized Packaging.” The nozzles described in patents '983 and '550 do comprise a vertical portion that is in line with the valving portion, however neither one would be capable of dispensing textured paint since the needle valves which are disclosed therein do not comprise means for avoiding clogging or providing a regulated fluid flow.

What is needed therefore is an adjustable needle valve that may be fitted within a standard spray nozzle for an aerosol can which allows for the adjustable application of a fluid flow for a textured paint.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The current invention is an adjustable spray nozzle adapted to fit a pressurized aerosol can. The nozzle includes a nozzle body adapted to couple onto the pressurized aerosol can, a nozzle defined in the nozzle body, a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body and communicating with the nozzle, and an adjustable needle valve disposed in the nozzle body wherein the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage. The needle valve is adjusted to regulate flow within the fluid passage and the tip of the needle valve has a contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path between the contoured surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path.

In one embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve includes a tip with a conical surface and with a longitudinally oriented flat surface segment defined in the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

In another embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a plurality of longitudinally oriented flat surfaces segments defined in the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. The plurality of longitudinally oriented flat surfaces segments are defined in the conical surface of the tip symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

In yet another embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a longitudinally oriented concave surface segment defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

In still another embodiment, the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a plurality of longitudinally oriented concave surface segments defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve. The plurality of longitudinally oriented concave surface segments are preferably defined symmetrically into the conical surface about the longitudinal axis of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

In another embodiment, the fluid passage of the spray nozzle includes a valving portion and an orifice portion fluidicly communicated to the valving portion of the fluid passage, where the contoured surface of the adjustable needle valve is disposed between the valving portion and the orifice portion of the fluid passage. The orifice portion of the fluid passage is preferably oriented at an acute angle with respect to the valving portion of the fluid passage.

In still another embodiment, the adjustable needle valve of the spray nozzle comprises a plurality of threads for advancing and retreating the tip of the adjustable needle valve within the fluid passage.

The spray nozzle may also include an orifice body that is removably coupled to the orifice portion of the fluid passage in a separate embodiment.

The invention further includes an adjustable spray nozzle for a pressurized aerosol spray can having a top stem valve. The spray nozzle includes a nozzle body adapted to couple and seal with the top stem valve, a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body in communication with the stem valve, and a adjustable needle valve coupled to the nozzle body. The adjustable needle valve also includes a plastic tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage. The plastic tip has a contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path between the contoured surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage in order to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path.

In one particular embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip of the spray nozzle includes at least one flat surface defined into the surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

In a related embodiment, the contoured surface of the tip includes at least one scalloped surface defined into the surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

In another preferred embodiment the fluid passage includes an orifice portion and a valving portion. The adjustable needle valve also includes a plurality of threads for advancing and retreating the means to regulate a flow within the fluid passage between the orifice portion of the fluid passage and the valving portion of the fluid passage. The contoured surface further includes means for preventing vibration of the tip of the adjustable needle valve caused by flow of fluid in the fluid passage.

The invention also includes a method for adjusting a fluid flow through a pressurized spray nozzle for an aerosol can. The method includes advancing a tip of a needle valve into a fluid pathway defined in the spray nozzle coupled to the aerosol can, exposing a defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid through the fluid pathway, and then adjusting the disposition of the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve within the flow of fluid to prevent vibration of the tip of the needle valve. The defined relief surface also helps determine a predetermined flow path between the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path.

In another embodiment, the method step of exposing the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid includes exposing at least one scalloped surface defined on the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid, or alternatively, exposing at least one flat surface defined on the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid.

In yet another embodiment, advancing the tip of the needle valve into the fluid pathway comprises advancing the needle valve by rotation of the needle valve in a threaded coupling defined between the needle valve and the spray nozzle.

Finally, in another embodiment, the method step of adjusting the disposition of the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve within the flow of fluid to prevent vibration of the tip of the needle valve includes rotating the needle valve in a threaded coupling defined between the needle valve and the spray nozzle.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a spray can and an adjustable nozzle according to the present invention, the adjustable nozzle is detached from the spray can.

FIG. 1B is the spray can with the adjustable nozzle attached to the spray can.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the adjustable nozzle.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable nozzle taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a side view of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with a flat surface.

FIG. 4B is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with a scalloped surface.

FIG. 5B is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with two scalloped surfaces.

FIG. 6B is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an adjuster comprising a needle valve with three flat surfaces.

FIG. 7B is a rotated side view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a bottom view of the adjuster comprising a needle valve seen in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a front view of a first orifice body according to the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the first orifice body according to the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the first orifice body taken along line 9A-9A of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the first orifice body taken along line 9B-9B of FIG. 9A.

The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A spray can 12 and an adjustable nozzle 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A with the adjustable nozzle 10 detached from the spray can 12. A stem 14 extends vertically from the spray can 12, which stem 14 provides a fluid flow to the adjustable nozzle 10 when the stem 14 is depressed. The spray can 12 with the adjustable nozzle 10 attached to the spray can 12 is shown in FIG. 1B. The adjustable nozzle 10 includes a nozzle body 16, an adjuster 18, and an orifice 20.

A front view of the adjustable nozzle 10 is shown in FIG. 2. A cross-sectional view of the adjustable nozzle 10 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. The adjustable nozzle 10 includes a fluid passage 26 running vertically through the nozzle body 16 and then diagonally to the orifice 20. A coupling portion 22 of the fluid passage 26 extends downward from the nozzle body 16. The coupling portion 22 is adapted to mechanically cooperate with the stem 14 to allow the stem 14 to be depressed by pressing downward on the nozzle body 16, thereby causing fluid to be expelled through the stem 14 into the fluid passage 26. Such stem 14 is common in aerosol cans 12.

A valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26 resides above the coupling portion 22 and is in fluid communication with the coupling portion 22. The adjuster 18 extends into the valving portion 24, and cooperates with the valving portion to vary a fluid flow through the fluid passage 26. The valving portion 24 is substantially coaxial with the coupling portion 22, thereby allowing easy cleaning of the fluid passage 26 when the adjuster 18 is removed from the nozzle body 16.

An orifice body 20a resides in an orifice portion 21 of the fluid passage 26, and the orifice body 20a includes the orifice 20. The orifice portion 21 is preferably inclined approximately 7.5 degrees from the horizontal, upwards away from the fluid passage 26.

One particular embodiment of the adjuster 18 is denoted with reference numeral 18A in FIGS. 4A-4D. The adjuster 18A comprises a knob 28 and a plurality of adjuster threads 30. The knob 28 allows easy adjustment of the adjuster 18A. The adjuster threads 30 threadably cooperate with nozzle body 16 whereby the adjuster 18a may be advanced into the valving portion 24 or retreated from the valving portion 24 by turning the knob 28. The adjuster threads 30 preferably comprise ¼ by 28 threads. Disposed between the adjuster threads 30 and the adjuster tip 32 is a cylindrically shaped body portion 54 of the adjuster 18A. The adjuster tip 32 cooperates with the valving portion 24 to control a flow through the nozzle 10, and is preferably conical. The valving portion 24 preferably approximately matches the shape of the tip 32. In this particular embodiment, the adjuster 18A comprises a flat surface 52 on the tip 32. As best seen in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the flat surface 52 is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the flat surface 52 is wider at the top of the tip 32, and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip 32. The flat surface 52 begins at the very distal part of the tip 32, extends the height of the tip 32, and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the body portion 54 of the adjuster 18A. The remaining surface area of the tip 32 is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone.

The flat surface 52 of the adjuster 18A alters the fluid characteristics of the textured based paint traveling through the nozzle 10. Specifically, as the textured based paint traverses up the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26 and transitions to the orifice portion 21, it makes contact with the tip 32 of the valving portion 24 at a high rate of speed. Normally, with a tip that is completely conical, a fluid moving at a high velocity which strikes the tip will typically cause the tip of the adjuster to vibrate or flutter, thus leading to a inconsistent flow of fluid through the nozzle 10. But because a flat surface 52 is defined within the tip 32 of the adjuster 18A of the current invention, the fluid dynamics around the tip 32 are significantly altered from that of the prior art. Fast traveling fluid still strikes the tip 32 as it did before, however the flat surface 52 provides the fluid significantly more leeway in maneuvering through the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26. This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the flat surface 52 prevents any vibrating or resonance of the tip 32, a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice 20 is achieved.

A second embodiment of the adjuster 18 may be seen in FIGS. 5A-5D and is denoted with reference numeral 18B. In this particular embodiment, the adjuster 18B comprises a scalloped surface 56 on the tip 32. As best seen in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the scalloped surface 56 is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the scalloped surface 56 is wider at the top of the tip 32, and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip 32. The scalloped surface 56 begins at the very distal part of the tip 32, extends the longitudinal height of the tip 32, and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the body portion 54 of the adjuster 18B. The remaining surface area of the tip 32 is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone. Furthermore, the scalloped surface 56 comprises a radius of curvature defined into the surfaces of the tip 32 and body 54 of the adjuster 18B. In other words, the scalloped surface 56 is a concave surface, forming a recess within the tip 32 and body 54 portions of the adjuster 18B.

Similarly, as discussed above with regard to the flat surface 52, the scalloped surface 56 of the adjuster 18B dramatically alters the fluid characteristics of the fluid traveling through the nozzle 10. Specifically, as the fluid traverses up the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26 and transitions to the orifice portion 21, it makes contact with the tip 32 of the valving portion 24 at a high rate of speed. The scalloped surface 56 provides the fluid significantly more leeway and surface area in maneuvering through the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26. This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the scalloped surface 56 prevents any vibrating or resonance of the tip 32, a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice 20 is achieved.

In another embodiment seen in FIGS. 6A-6D, the adjuster 18 is denoted with reference numeral 18C. In this particular embodiment, the adjuster 18C comprises a plurality scalloped surfaces 56 on the tip 32. As best seen in FIGS. 6B and 6C, each scalloped surface 56 is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the scalloped surface 56 is wider at the top of the tip 32, and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip 32. Each scalloped surface 56 begins at the very distal part of the tip 32, extends the height of the tip 32, and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the longitudinal body portion 54 of the adjuster 18C. The remaining surface area of the tip 32 is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone. Furthermore, each of the scalloped surfaces 56 comprise a radius of curvature defined into the surfaces of the tip 32 and body 54 of the adjuster 18C. In other words, the scalloped surface 56 is a concave surface, forming a recess within the tip 32 and body 54 portions of the adjuster 18C. As best seen in FIG. 6D, the plurality of scalloped surfaces 56 may be defined as diametrically opposed to one another. That is to say, each scalloped surface 56 is defined on opposite sides of the tip 32. However it is to be expressly understood that other configurations or locations of the scalloped surfaces 56 around the tip 32 not seen here may also be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention. For example, scalloped surfaces 56 may be disposed side by side around the tip 32.

Similarly, as discussed above with regard to the flat surface 52, the plurality of scalloped surfaces 56 of the adjuster 18C dramatically alter the fluid characteristics of the fluid traveling through the nozzle 10. Specifically, as the fluid traverses up the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26 and transitions to the orifice portion 21, it makes contact with the tip 32 of the valving portion 24 at a high rate of speed. The scalloped surfaces 56 provide the fluid significantly more leeway and surface area in maneuvering through the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26. This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the scalloped surfaces 56 prevent any vibrating or resonance of the tip 32, a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice 20 is achieved.

In another embodiment seen in FIGS. 7A-7D, the adjuster 18 is denoted with reference numeral 18D. In this particular embodiment, the adjuster 18D comprises a plurality flat surfaces 52 on the tip 32. As best seen in FIGS. 7B and 7C, each flat surface 52 is substantially “spade” shaped, specifically the flat surface 52 is wider at the top of the tip 32, and tapers down to a narrower width at the distal part of the tip 32. Each flat surface 52 begins at the very distal part of the tip 32, extends the height of the tip 32, and ends with a rounded portion that extends into the body portion 54 of the adjuster 18D. The remaining surface area of the tip 32 is conical in shape, preferably defining an approximately thirty (total) degree cone. As best seen in FIG. 7D, the plurality of flat surfaces 52 may be defined symmetrically to one another. That is to say, each flat surface 52 is defined on opposing sides of the tip 32. However it is to be expressly understood that other configurations or locations of the flat surfaces 52 around the tip 32 not seen here may also be used without departing from the original spirit and scope of the invention. For example, flat surfaces 52 may be disposed side by side around the tip 32.

Similarly, as discussed above with regard to the flat surface 52, the plurality of flat surfaces 52 of the adjuster 18D dramatically alter the fluid characteristics of the fluid traveling through the nozzle 10. Specifically, as the fluid traverses up the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26 and transitions to the orifice portion 21, it makes contact with the tip 32 of the valving portion 24 at a high rate of speed. The flat surfaces 52 provide the semi-solid fluid significantly more leeway and surface area in maneuvering through the valving portion 24 of the fluid passage 26. This is particularly true with fluids like textured based paint which comprises larger particulate matter than regular paint and therefore requires more volume to operate in. Because the scalloped surfaces 56 prevent any vibrating or resonance of the tip 32, a more even and regulated output of the textured based paint from the orifice 20 is achieved.

A front view of a first orifice body 20a according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 8A, and a side view of the first orifice body 20a is shown in FIG. 8B. The first orifice body 20a is substantially cylindrical and is retained in the orifice passage 21 by a snap fit or a friction fit. The orifice body 20a includes a mouth 34 on an exposed end of the orifice 20. The mouth 34 has a height H when in a horizontal position, which height H is preferably approximately 0.03 inches.

A cross-sectional view of the first orifice body 20a taken along line 9A-9A of FIG. 8A is shown in FIG. 9A, and a cross-sectional view of the first orifice body 20a taken along line 9B-9B of FIG. 9A is shown in FIG. 9B. The mouth 34 has a width W when in a horizontal position, which width W is preferable approximately 0.09 inches.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.

The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.

Claims

1. An adjustable spray nozzle adapted to fit a pressurized aerosol can comprising:

a nozzle body adapted to couple onto the pressurized aerosol can;

a nozzle defined in the nozzle body;

a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body and communicating with the nozzle;

an adjustable needle valve disposed in the nozzle body, wherein the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage,

where the needle valve is adjusted to regulate flow within the fluid passage and where the tip of the needle valve has a contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path between the contoured surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path.

2. The spray nozzle of claim 1 where the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and with a longitudinally oriented flat surface segment defined in the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

3. The spray nozzle of claim 1 where the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a plurality of longitudinally oriented flat surfaces segments defined in the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

4. The spray nozzle of claim 3 where the plurality of longitudinally oriented flat surfaces segments are defined in the conical surface of the tip symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

5. The spray nozzle of claim 1 where the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a longitudinally oriented concave surface segment defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

6. The spray nozzle of claim 1 where the tip has a longitudinal axis and the contoured surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve comprises a tip with a conical surface and a plurality of longitudinally oriented concave surface segments defined into the conical surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

7. The spray nozzle of claim 6 where the plurality of longitudinally oriented concave surface segments are defined symmetrically into the conical surface about the longitudinal axis of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

8. The spray nozzle of claim 1 where the fluid passage comprises a valving portion and an orifice portion fluidicly communicated to the valving portion of the fluid passage, where the contoured surface of the adjustable needle valve is disposed between the valving portion and the orifice portion of the fluid passage.

9. The spray nozzle of claim 8 where the orifice portion of the fluid passage is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the valving portion of the fluid passage.

10. The spray nozzle of claim 1 where the adjustable needle valve comprises a plurality of threads for advancing and retreating the tip of the adjustable needle valve within the fluid passage.

11. The spray nozzle of claim 8 further comprising an orifice body removably coupled to the orifice portion of the fluid passage.

12. An adjustable spray nozzle for a pressurized aerosol spray can having a top stem valve comprising:

a nozzle body adapted to couple and seal with the top stem valve;

a fluid passage defined within the nozzle body in communication with the stem valve; and

a adjustable needle valve coupled to the nozzle body,

wherein the adjustable needle valve comprises a plastic tip disposed within a portion of the fluid passage, the plastic tip further comprising contoured surface to define a predetermined flow path between the contoured surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path.

13. The spray nozzle of claim 12 where the contoured surface of the tip comprises at least one flat surface defined into the surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

14. The spray nozzle of claim 12 where the contoured surface comprises at least one scalloped surface defined into the surface of the tip of the adjustable needle valve.

15. The spray nozzle of claim 12 where the fluid passage includes an orifice portion and a valving portion and where the adjustable needle valve comprises a plurality of threads for advancing and retreating the means to regulate a flow within the fluid passage between the orifice portion of the fluid passage and the valving portion of the fluid passage.

16. The spray nozzle of claim 15 where the contoured surface further comprises means for preventing vibration of the tip of the adjustable needle valve caused by flow of fluid in the fluid passage.

17. A method for adjusting a fluid flow through a pressurized spray nozzle for an aerosol can comprising:

advancing a tip of a needle valve into a fluid pathway defined in the spray nozzle coupled to the aerosol can;

exposing a defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid through the fluid pathway; and

adjusting the disposition of the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve within the flow of fluid to prevent vibration of the tip of the needle valve to define a predetermined flow path between the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve and an adjacent portion of the fluid passage to prevent resonance of the tip in the flow path and to facilitate passage of semi-solids in the flow path.

18. The method of claim 17 where exposing the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid comprises:

exposing at least one scalloped surface defined on the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid; or

exposing at least one flat surface defined on the tip of the needle valve to the flow of fluid.

19. The method of claim 17 where advancing the tip of the needle valve into the fluid pathway comprises advancing the needle valve by rotation of the needle valve in a threaded coupling defined between the needle valve and the spray nozzle.

20. The method of claim 17 where adjusting the disposition of the defined relief surface of the tip of the needle valve within the flow of fluid to prevent vibration of the tip of the needle valve comprises rotating the needle valve in a threaded coupling defined between the needle valve and the spray nozzle.