Solid Scraping Or Clearing Member Patents (Class 239/114)
  • Patent number: 12023704
    Abstract: A sprayer head may be removably mounted onto a concentrate tank of a hose end sprayer. The sprayer head may include a valve assembly having a valve body having a first axis of rotation selectively movable between a closed orientation, a wet mode orientation, and a dry mode orientation. A metering plate may include a first annular series of spaced-apart flow-metering holes with each successive respective flow-metering hole has an increasing hole diameter adapted to withdraw a selectively adjustable amount of a concentrate from the concentrate tank when the valve body is in either the wet mode orientation or the dry mode orientation. The metering plate has a second axis of rotation which is non-coaxial with the first axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: CHAPIN MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Dubiel, James R. Fontaine, Mark T. MacLean-Blevins
  • Patent number: 11931758
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device that includes a housing, a fluid reservoir disposed in the housing and a fluid ejection head. A revolving maintenance station that includes an ejection head wiper and an ejection head capping device is movably attached to the housing and is configured for rotation to selectively position the ejection head wiper or the ejection head capping device adjacent to the fluid ejection head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Adam D. Carrithers
  • Patent number: 11097289
    Abstract: A sprayer having a spray head configured to receive water; a spray face coupled to the spray head and defining an internal fluid chamber, which is located between the spray face and the spray head and is fluidly connected with the spray head, wherein the spray face includes a plurality of channels and a plurality of apertures; a control ring having a plurality of channels, wherein the control ring is coupled to the spray face so that each channel of the control ring cooperates with one associated channel and one associated aperture of the spray face to define a nozzle cavity; and a nozzle assembly having a mat and a plurality of nozzles coupled to the mat, wherein each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles is disposed in one associated nozzle cavity to control an orientation of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Pete Kajuch, Meghamukta Ghosh
  • Patent number: 10464087
    Abstract: A sprayer system includes a diluent tank, a mounting bracket mounted to the diluent tank and a concentrate tank mounted to the mounting bracket and diluent tank. A mixing manifold is mounted to the mounting bracket and has a first inlet fitting to receive a fixed amount of diluent and a second inlet to receive a liquid concentrate. The diluent and concentrate are then combined to form a mixed solution. The mixing manifold includes an outlet. A positive displacement pump is mounted to the mounting bracket and has a suction port fluidly coupled to the mixed solution outlet. A pressure port may fluidly couple with a spray device. The second tank may be separable from the first tank and mounting bracket without requiring removal of the mixing manifold or positive displacement pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Chapin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Morgan Allis, Jim Fontaine, David Dubiel
  • Patent number: 9010660
    Abstract: A sprinkler head with plural selectable nozzles includes a sprinkler body having inlet and outlet bores aligned along a first axis; a nozzle magazine rotatably supported on the sprinkler body, the nozzle magazine carrying at least two nozzles and provided with at least one shut-off surface portion located between the at least two nozzles. The nozzles are selectively rotatable into an operative position between the inlet and outlet bores, the nozzle magazine being rotatable about a second axis angularly offset from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Barton R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8960504
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for containing a pressurized composition, said dispensing apparatus comprising: a reservoir for containing a composition; an actuator head comprising a side wall having an interior surface, said actuator head forming a dispensing orifice through said side wall; a displaceable flow conduit comprising a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end forming a flow conduit orifice, said distal end being movably engaged with said interior surface of said actuator head; and an intermediate member interposed between said interior surface and said distal end and forming an aperture; and wherein said displaceable flow conduit is biased to an at-rest position and can be movably actuated to at least partially engage said intermediate member in a dispense position, thereby at least partially aligning said dispensing orifice with said flow conduit orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: William Mercer Benson, Andrew William Franckhauser, Todd Mitchell Day, Shaun Shang-Yun Chan, David Matthew Groh, Brian David Andres, Scott Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 8931715
    Abstract: A plural component spray nozzle comprising a nozzle block having two feed passageway and a main passageway. The main passageway is configured to receive one material through each feed passageway. There is a receiver block having two receiver channels. Each receiver channel comprises an entry port on one end and an exit port on another end. The receiver block is configured to selectively receive the nozzle block in actuated or blocked position. In the actuated position, the exit ports of the receiver channels are fluidly connected with their corresponding feed passageways. In the blocked position, the exit ports of receiver channels are fluidly blocked with their corresponding feed passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: John P. Courier
  • Patent number: 8915453
    Abstract: A self-cleaning nozzle assembly adapted for use in processing pressurized liquids, slurries, etc., which may carry with it particulate matter. A spacing between two nozzle members forms an orifice, and the size of the orifice is adjustable. The nozzle members are spring biased together to reduce the size of the nozzle orifice, but pressurized liquids processed by the nozzle counteract the spring bias force to increase the size of the nozzle orifice. When the force of the spring bias and the force of the pressurized liquid are at equilibrium, the size of the nozzle orifice is maintained. When adjusting the compression force of the spring on the nozzle members, the upstream pressure of the liquid can be adjusted accordingly. In flash evaporation systems, the nozzle can be employed to control the flash point of the liquid by controlling the pressure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond C. Sherry
  • Patent number: 8910888
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body formed with a through-bore defining a flow path adapted for alignment with a nozzle bore. A nozzle carrier is mounted on the sprinkler body for linear movement across the flow path and adapted to support plural nozzles. The nozzle carrier is configured to enable any one of the plural nozzles to be aligned with the flow path. The nozzle carrier is provided with plural discrete seal pads that are selectively movable into a position covering the flow path to thereby shut off flow through the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Barton R Nelson
  • Patent number: 8622318
    Abstract: A sprinkler has a hollow outer case and a riser vertically reciprocable within the outer case through an upper end thereof. A nozzle is mounted at an upper end of the riser. A body cap fits over the upper end of the outer case and retains the riser. The body cap has a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical ribs that connect a reduced diameter upper portion of the body cap with an enlarged lower portion of the body cap. An elastomeric cover extends over at least the reduced diameter upper portion of the body cap and at least a portion of the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Daniel E. Hunter
  • Patent number: 8602320
    Abstract: An expansion nozzle adapted for use in processing high pressure, high temperature liquids. A spring biases a nozzle head into contact with a nozzle seat, but the high pressure liquids processed by the nozzle move the nozzle head away from the nozzle seat to form an orifice therebetween. A motor rotates the nozzle head with respect to the nozzle seat during dynamic operation to grind particles lodged in the orifice. A threaded nut and a catch mechanism are effective to adjust the spring tension and thus the force of the upstream pressurized liquid needed to operate the nozzle. The nozzle can process liquids having gasses, slurries and high concentrations of particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond C. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20130032640
    Abstract: An apparatus for physically cleaning a nozzle inside a chamber may include a cleaning member disposed inside the chamber. The nozzle is configured to output a target material into the chamber in which extreme ultraviolet light is generated. The cleaning member is configured to remove the target material deposited around the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Takayuki YABU, Takeshi Kodama, Osamu Wakabayashi, Junichi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8333332
    Abstract: A spray head (1) with a nozzle insert (2) for atomizing a fluid, which tends to gum up or harden, from a reservoir, wherein the nozzle insert (2) is substantially designed as a hollow cylinder (3) that is open on one side and has, on the other side, a nozzle opening (4) towards the outside, and the nozzle insert (2) is connected to a nozzle insert receptacle (5), which has a channel (6) for the fluid, wherein the channel (6) corresponds to the nozzle opening (4). The nozzle insert (2) consists of an elastic material (7) and, in this manner, is connected to the nozzle insert receptacle (5) so that an external, free section (8) of the nozzle insert (2) along with the nozzle opening (4) is at least partially manually compressible and/or is designed to be manually bendable from its standby position (R), whereby hardened resin residue (12) can be removed from the nozzle opening (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Johannes Burghaus, Markus Klein, Andreas Pohler
  • Patent number: 8308079
    Abstract: A sanitary installation element (1) having at least one bypass or cleaning duct (6) which is assigned a valve in whose open position the at least one bypass or cleaning duct is connected switched on. The installation element (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the installation element (1) has a filter screen (4) with at least one outlet opening (5), which outlet opening (5) has a larger clear opening cross section than the screen openings of the filter screen (4), that the at least one outlet opening (5) opens into the at least one bypass or cleaning duct (6), and that, as seen in the direction of flow, the outlet opening (5) is arranged in front of at least one liquid-conveying component of at least one functional unit situated in the installation element (1) and, as seen in the direction of flow, the duct outlet of the at least one bypass or cleaning duct (6) is arranged after this component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Grether, Manfred Gilcher, Jorg Rudolph, Christoph Weis
  • Patent number: 8272577
    Abstract: An apparatus for spraying a liquid, such as a cleaning liquid or a lubricating liquid, onto a wire or onto a felt in a plant for paper production. The apparatus has pipeline for supplying the liquid and spray nozzles for ejecting the liquid. A shaft with a cleaning device for the spray nozzles or for the inner wall of the pipeline is disposed within the pipeline. The shaft includes a cylindrical sleeve which has a slotted guide and a thread and is arranged in a housing which adjoins the pipeline, the thread interacting with a control spindle and, furthermore, a bolt or the like being provided which can be adjusted transversely with respect to the housing and projects into the slotted guide in a first position, as a result of which, during a rotation of the control spindle, the shaft is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Klaus Bartelmuss, Heinz Bartelmuss
  • Patent number: 8221016
    Abstract: A device and a method for continuous and adjustable dosage of fluids at low pressure. The invention is self-cleaning and low tech. It consists of a tapering dosage unit in which a filling, which allows fluids to pass in the longitudinal direction of the dosage unit, is inserted. At the outlet end of the dosage unit, a venturi tube is located which clamps the filling and thereby create a nozzle opening that fits the fluids viscosity and the pressure for a given desired dosage. When the dosage unit clogs, a flushing can be obtained by either increasing the pressure of the fluid and thereby forcing a flexible dosage unit to increase the sectional area and allow cleaning or in the same way through a mechanical opening of the dosage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Idekontoret Aps
    Inventors: Tom Juul Andersen, Bo Boye
  • Patent number: 8162235
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler is provided having a housing and a riser assembly for the distribution of irrigation water that includes a wiper seal to prevent bypass flow. The sprinkler includes a first flow path that delivers water to a nozzle for irrigation and a second flow path that delivers water to a cavity between the riser assembly and the housing. The water in the cavity is substantially prevented from exiting the cavity because of an annular wiper blade and a secondary sealing blade that substantially contact the riser assembly through the riser assembly's reciprocal movement between retracted and elevated positions. The water in the cavity is additionally prevented from exiting the cavity due to a primary sealing blade that substantially contacts the riser assembly for a limited period of time when the riser assembly is in the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Albert McAfee
  • Patent number: 8079108
    Abstract: A cleaning system used for cleaning up plastic in a nozzle of a molding apparatus, the nozzle including a nozzle opening and a through hole connected with the nozzle opening, the plastic being received in the through hole. The cleaning system includes a bottom fixing sleeve, a top guiding sleeve and a knocking stick. The bottom fixing sleeve is configured for securely fixing the nozzle. The top guiding sleeve is configured for coupling with the bottom fixing sleeve, and the top guiding sleeve includes a guiding hole defined therein. The knocking stick is movable along the guiding hole of the top guiding sleeve such that the knocking stick strikes the plastic in a direction along the central axis of the through hole of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 7988070
    Abstract: A shower head includes a case having a chamber with an opening, and a cover is slidably engaged with the opening and has multiple holes. The cover has an inner space defined therein, and a brush unit is rotatably located in the inner space and the chamber. The brush unit includes multiple blades, and each blade has brushes connected thereto. The brush unit rotates by the water flow so as to brush the inner surface of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Yang, Chiao-Cheng Yang, Tsung-Te Liu, Han-Hua Liu
  • Patent number: 7963459
    Abstract: An expansion nozzle adapted for use in high pressure, high temperature conditions. The expansion nozzle uses spring compression to operate under constant pressure conditions to efficiently flash hot water into steam. A motor can be employed to automatically adjust the extent of compression of the spring during the flashing operation, to thereby adjust the pressure of the liquid applied to the nozzle. In addition, the expansion nozzle can be equipped with a mechanism to allow cleaning or lapping of the orifice surfaces without disassembly of the expansion nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond C. Sherry
  • Patent number: 7914843
    Abstract: A slit coater having a pre-applying unit and a coating method using the same that minimizes the amount of washing solution used and improves the washing effectiveness of a roller by separating the coating solution attached to a pre-applying roller from the washing solution using a coating solution separating apparatus. The slit coater includes: a table on which an object to be processed is mounted; a slit nozzle applying coating solution onto a surface of the object; a pre-applying unit to which the slit nozzle pre-applies the coating solution; and a coating solution separating unit that separates the coating solution spread when the coating solution is pre-applied to the slit nozzle and discharges the separated coating solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Kweon Park, Kang Il Cho, Seong Kwon
  • Patent number: 7708209
    Abstract: A riser seal cartridge for an irrigation sprinkler. The cartridge is formed of a rigid self support shell, and a sealing member formed of a resilient material covering the shell in areas which provide the seal. The sealing member includes a first portion which seals the top end of the sprinkler body, a second portion which seals an outer surface of the riser, a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion extending from the third seal portion which provides a seal for the support shell lower end portion. The first seal portion provides a high pressure seal to prevent leakage when the riser is in a fully extended position; and the second seal portion provides a low pressure seal during pressure build-up as the riser is extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: K-Rain Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7654475
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve has a first groove cut in a peripheral surface of a needle valve and second grooves cut in a seat surface of a nozzle tip. The first groove is provided so that the needle valve is rotated by flow of the fuel in the first groove caused by a reciprocating motion of the needle valve, and upper and lower ends of the first groove are opened to the outside so that the fuel can be introduced into the groove. The second grooves are twisted or tilted in the same direction as the rotating direction of the needle valve and are cut along the circumferential direction of the nozzle tip. The second grooves have an edge part for scraping off solid matters into the second grooves in cooperation with the tip seat surface of the needle valve by the rotation of the needle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Junnosuke Ando, Kazuhiro Kawai
  • Patent number: 7617990
    Abstract: A shower header type spray device is provided. The spray device includes an elongated spray header having a plurality of laterally spaced liquid spray nozzles each of which is mounted in a corresponding pocket in the spray header. An elongated cleaning brush assembly includes a rotatable brush housed in the spray header for cleaning inlet apertures of the spray nozzles. At least one spray nozzle has a dome portion with a discharge orifice and a substantially flat mounting flange portion extending around the periphery of the dome portion. The mounting flange portion of the at least one spray nozzle has a notch adapted to receive a removal tool for enabling prying and dislodgment of the at least one spray nozzle from its respective pocket in the spray header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Spraying Systems, Co.
    Inventor: David C. Huffman
  • Patent number: 7549449
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application system including a color changer, at least two paint canisters and a paint applicator, a first pair of supply lines connected between the color changer and the paint canisters and a second pair of supply lines connecting the paint canisters and the paint applicator, wherein the paint canisters operate in tandem permitting delivery of a first paint to one of the paint canisters while a second paint canister is electrically isolated from the color changer and is delivering paint to the applicator. In one disclosed embodiment, the delivery line from the paint canisters to the applicator includes two pigs and solvent is delivered between the pigs, such that this system is self purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Herbert Martin, Michael Baumann, Manfred Michelfelder, Richard M. Ostin, Robert F. Heldt, Joachim Hering, Hans Jurgen Nolte
  • Publication number: 20080111004
    Abstract: A shower header type spray device is provided. The spray device includes an elongated spray header having a plurality of laterally spaced liquid spray nozzles each of which is mounted in a corresponding pocket in the spray header. An elongated cleaning brush assembly includes a rotatable brush housed in the spray header for cleaning inlet apertures of the spray nozzles. At least one spray nozzle has a dome portion with a discharge orifice and a substantially flat mounting flange portion extending around the periphery of the dome portion. The mounting flange portion of the at least one spray nozzle has a notch adapted to receive a removal tool for enabling prying and dislodgment of the at least one spray nozzle from its respective pocket in the spray header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: David C. Huffman
  • Patent number: 7328854
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments can provide a fluid control valve, which reduces or prevents any bubble from being built up in the valve itself so as to protect other hydraulic equipment placed in a downstream side from having any malfunction due to such a bubble, and a droplet ejection device using the fluid control valve. A fluid control valve includes a tank, through which a fluid passes, an inlet port, through which a fluid flows into the tank, an outlet port, through which a fluid flows out of the tank, a valve plug that opens and closes at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port, a coupler connecting part of the inlet port side, which is located in an inlet passage connected to the inlet port, and a coupler connecting part of the outlet port side, which is located in an outlet passage connected to the outlet port. Piping is connected to the coupler connecting part of the inlet port side and the coupler connecting part of the outlet port side, each by using a coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7191955
    Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), one or more electronic components (221), and a unit control system (240). The nozzle (220) is secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The unit control system (240) can perform a self-test on the irrigation unit (20) to make sure that the irrigation unit (20) is functioning properly. Additionally, the irrigation unit (20) can include a cleaner (259u) that is coupled to the housing (200). The cleaner (259u) can clean one or more electronic components (221) that are part of the irrigation unit (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Norman Ivans
  • Patent number: 7182273
    Abstract: A shower header type spray device has a motorized cleaning brush on a rotary shaft mounted therein for cleaning inlet apertures of its spray nozzles. The brush shaft is supported to impart axial movement when it is rotated, and has a sealing valve attached thereon such that when the brush is rotated by the motor in a cleaning operation the valve is opened to allow discharge of liquid with debris brushed off the nozzle inlets. The motor is activated for a cleaning operation from either a local controller or a centralized controller that controls multiple spray devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventor: David Proulx, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7160389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method suitable for automatic cleaning of a coating or extrusion head of a coating apparatus. The invention includes a scrubbing station wherein a combination of physical contact and strong solvent solution combine to remove coating fluid from the exterior of an extrusion head. A second cleaning station, preferably a rinsing station then further cleans the head of coating fluid and removes solvent used at a first cleaning station. The solvent used at the rinsing station is preferably self-drying thereby obviating the need for any further cleaning action. The invention also provides for the ability to prime the coating bead at the extrusion head so as to have a fully formed bead ready before the head begins coating a substrate, thereby providing an even coating across said substrate. The priming operation preferably comprises holding the head steady over a rotating priming roller while extruding fluid preferably at a constant volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: FAStar, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Gibson, John E. Hawes, Samer M. Kabbani, Ocie T. Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 7111798
    Abstract: A shower head having a plurality of nozzles capable of attachment to a flexible shower arm. The shower head has a unique nozzle construction that allows for the manipulation of an external flexible nozzle to remove mineral deposits and has an internal, rigid nozzle structure for efficiently forming an aesthetically pleasing water stream. The shower head may have two available flow configurations which are selectable by a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventors: Gary J. Thomas, Russell S. Krajec, William J. Gillette, Timothy A. Bachman
  • Patent number: 6997393
    Abstract: The pop-up irrigation sprinkler includes a pressure reducing valve, a spring-biased, pop-up riser, and a valve seal of unitary construction adjacent to the lower end of the riser having a valve body, a valve plug at the lower end of the valve body sealing the inlet port while the riser is in the retracted position, and a channel within the valve plug that is in fluid communication with the upper end of the valve body. The pressure reducing valve has a flow tube mounted for limited movement within the riser and lower port of the flow tube. The lower port of the flow tube is normally open when the riser is in the extended, operative position a pressure. The normally open lower port is urged against the upper surface of the valve plug when by a surge of pressurized water. A washer is provided in the lower end of the valve plug for sealing the inlet port from inflow and outflow of water from the sprinkler while the riser is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Russdon D. Angold, Steve S. H. Han, David E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6880767
    Abstract: A two-handle cleaning lance includes a pair of switches which must be held closed by an operator to allow high pressure water to be directed to a discharge nozzle. A dump valve is selectively actuated to dump the high pressure water to a dump nozzle at which it will enter the environment at a much reduced pressure. The dump valve is operated by a control which monitors that the two switches are both held closed. If either switch is released, then the dump valve is moved to a dump position. The present invention ensures that an operator does not disable one of the two switches such as by taping it closed. The dump valve will not move back to its actuated position until both switches have been released and have moved to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: NLB Corp.
    Inventor: Matthew O. Herhold
  • Patent number: 6854663
    Abstract: A fluid spray apparatus includes a pump providing fluid at an elevated pressure and a delivery system coupled to the pump to spray the fluid in a predetermined configuration. The delivery system includes a flexible hose and a nozzle receiver adapted to receive one of a plurality of nozzles each having an associated spray pattern. A nozzle retainer coupled to the delivery system is adapted to releasably retain the nozzles in proximity to the distal end of the delivery system. An associated method includes the step of retaining the nozzles when not in use in an ordered pattern relative to the retainer and in proximity to the distal end of the delivery system. A nozzle cleaner having a configuration similar to that of the nozzles includes a pin and a guard pivotally mounted to cover the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Adolfo Arteaga Bugarin
  • Publication number: 20040177868
    Abstract: A portable spray wash apparatus is self contained with a spray-wash head attached to an end of a wand having a grip handle at the other end. The grip handle is connected to one end of a flexible tube, the other end of the flexible tube being connected to a connection tap located at a lower portion of a fluid container. The apparatus achieves self-contained, light-weight portability for a convenient spray washing, regardless of the location, weather and/or other environmental constraints. It conserves water, and may be in-container mixed with a proper fluid mixture for environmentally friendly and socially responsible upkeep of vehicle appearance through all weather conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Richard J. Kim
  • Patent number: 6789742
    Abstract: An air brush apparatus that is made up of a head assembly, a shell assembly, an air valve assembly for controlling the compressed air which is fed into the apparatus, a handle assembly, a lever assembly, and a paint regulating needle, with a distal end and a proximal end, being movably inserted into the handle assembly and through the air valve assembly and into the head assembly. The paint regulating needle can be cleaned by simply twisting the handle assembly. The apparatus also is designed with a more comfortable and ergonomic lever handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: William G. Riley
  • Publication number: 20040035954
    Abstract: An injector nozzle for a fuel injected internal combustion engine, said injector nozzle including a port (5) having a valve seat surface (15) and a valve member (3) having a seating surface (17), said valve member (3) being movable relative to the port (5) to respectively provide a nozzle passage (6) between the valve seat surface (15) and the seating surface (15) for the delivery of fuel therethrough or sealed contact therebetween to prevent said delivery of fuel, the valve member (3) including an outer valve surface (18) located adjacent the seating surface and external to the port, wherein a sharp edge (25) is provided on the valve member (3) at the transition between the seating surface (17) and the outer valve surface (18) thereby for controlling the formation of deposits at or adjacent an exit of the nozzle passage (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Hugh William Carlise, Robert Walter Frew, John Richards Mills, Peter John Murdoch
  • Patent number: 6634570
    Abstract: A spray gun for spraying of abrasive media includes a valve operable by a nozzle needle. The valve is arranged in a gun head and has a nozzle opening. The spray gun has an operating and return device for the nozzle needle. In order for the spray gun to be self-cleaning and to be able to process several components with abrasive material, the valve includes a nozzle channel, which ends in the nozzle opening. The nozzle needle is movably supported in the nozzle channel. At least one bore laterally enters the nozzle channel to supply the media. The bore can be closed off by the nozzle needle, which has an outer diameter almost equal to an inner diameter of the nozzle channel. The length of the nozzle needle in chosen so that when the nozzle needle is in a resting state, the needle extends at least to the nozzle opening of the spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: WiWa Wilhelm Wagner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oswald Scherer
  • Patent number: 6607145
    Abstract: In a spray gumming unit, a gumming device is equipped with an ejector that sprays an adhesive substance and that is connected with a shutter element. The shutter element moves towards and away from the ejector between a position where it closes the ejector and in which a pad, fixed to one end of it, is in contact with the ejector, and a position where the ejector is left open. During the movement of the shutter element and of the pad between the ejector open and closed positions, an applicator applies an antiadhesive liquid substance on the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Boriani, Alver Tacchi, Alessandro Minarelli
  • Patent number: 6598804
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has an actuator and a valve needle actuatable by the actuator, which valve needle is in turn coupled to, and actuates, a valve closing body. The valve closing body and a valve seat surface of a valve seat body form a sealing seat. At least one injection opening is formed in the valve seat body, and an elastic vibration element penetrates the injection opening. The elastic vibration element is attached on the inlet side of the injection opening and leaves a portion of cross-section of the injection opening free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Joachim Stilling, Martin Andorfer
  • Publication number: 20030089795
    Abstract: By means of a fluid material discharge device of simple construction, a technique for fluid material discharge is provided which has few or no inadequate discharge, high productivity, and which enables easy modification and adjustment of the amount of fluid material discharge. The fluid material discharge device comprises a nozzle for discharge of fluid material and a filament-shape member inserted into the nozzle for use. The filament-shape member has a tip portion AA, which is exposed outside of the nozzle when no pressure is exerted on the tip of the filament-shape member, a portion BB which can be inserted into the nozzle, and a portion CC, on the side of the filament-shape member opposite the tip portion AA, and being bent from the portion BB. The spring structure of the filament-shape member is utilized to discharge fluid material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU MEDIA DEVICES LIMITED
    Inventor: Katsumi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20030052186
    Abstract: An air brush apparatus that is made up of a head assembly, a shell assembly, an air valve assembly for controlling the compressed air which is fed into the apparatus, a handle assembly, a lever assembly, and a paint regulating needle, with a distal end and a proximal end, being movably inserted into the handle assembly and through the air valve assembly and into the head assembly. The paint regulating needle can be cleaned by simply twisting the handle assembly. The apparatus also is designed with a more comfortable and ergonomic lever handle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: William G. Riley
  • Patent number: 6478235
    Abstract: A device for the cleaning of a liquor spray nozzle assembly of a soda recovery boiler which includes a liquor supply conduit (3) inserted through an opening (10) in a wall (11) of the soda recovery boiler, which conduit has a mouth (6) from which a plate (8) for distribution of liquor protrudes, more precisely from a lower part of the mouth. The device comprises a scraper element (2) which is movable reciprocally along side edges on the distributing plate (8) by a power generator (12) mounted in a supporting stand (13). The scraper element (2) comprises a U-shaped clamp (25) with a bottom piece (26) located under the distributing plate (8) as well as two side pieces (27), which are mutually spaced-apart with a distance which in the main corresponds with the width of the distributing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Per Söderström, Tommy Carlsson
  • Patent number: 6478237
    Abstract: A dirt-resistant bearing system for a sprinkler unit with a rotatable turret having a central shaft extending into a support channel formed within an inner housing. The central shaft may be formed with a relatively upper shaft portion and a relatively lower shaft portion, and the support channel may be formed with an upper channel region and a lower channel region. A first bearing and sealing assembly may be fitted substantially around an outer perimeter of the upper shaft portion and in communication with the upper channel region, and a second bearing and sealing assembly may be fitted substantially around an outer perimeter of the lower shaft portion and in communication with the lower channel region. Another aspect of the invention provides a sprinkler head with a fitted serrated seal assembly. The fitted seal assembly may include an outer case having an interior region, and a pop-up sprinkler head turret mounted on a riser sleeve slidably mounted within the interior region of the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Virtual rain, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Michael Kearby, Joseph U. Han, Giles A. Kendall, Derick C. Wright
  • Patent number: 6299688
    Abstract: A developer nozzle used to apply developer and other chemicals to a wafer in the processing of semiconductors is kept free of hardened developer or other chemicals by placing a comb-like device in a position that will let the comb be inserted into the spray holes of the nozzle when the nozzle is not in use. The teeth of the comb are tapered for easy insertion by the robot or other programmed device that controls motion of the nozzle. Although hardened developer is the principal concern in such processing, an appropriate comb can be used to maintain the cleanliness of other nozzles used in semiconductor processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent L. Marinaro, Eric R. Kent
  • Patent number: 6244520
    Abstract: A spray boom (1) is provided in which the spray boom (1) comprises one or more outlet nozzles (4) and one or more actuator means (9) each of which drives at least one outlet nozzle clearing means (10). The spray boom provides for the accurate dispensing of solutions or suspensions, preferably from a fixed wing aircraft for the aerial top-dressing of agricultural, horticultural and aquacultural areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond Lester Patchett
  • Patent number: 6223997
    Abstract: A quick color change powder coating system has a powder supply, a powder pump that receives powder from the powder supply through a suction pick-up tube, a spray gun and a powder hose that connects the pump to the gun. The apparatus includes a purge air switch assembly and a first air source that provides air at purge pressure to a first inlet of the purge air switch assembly. A second air source provides flow rate air to a first pump inlet and atomizing air to a second inlet of the pump via a purge air switch assembly. Powder is drawn up the tube and into the pump by suction produced by flow rate air into the pump. A purge inlet is associated with the powder inlet to the pump. The purge air switch assembly operates in response to a purge control signal to connect purge air to the atomizing inlet at the pump and to the pump's purge inlet; whereby the pump, hose and gun can be purged at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Andrew M. Peddie, Joseph G. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6132203
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oil burning system that is capable of burning oils of varying viscosities, including high viscosity waste oils and low viscosity heating oils. Suitable as a new installation or a retrofit modification, the present invention incorporates the use of a variable rate, high-pressure oil delivery system, along with an oil pre-heater, in conjunction with a modified high-pressure atomizing nozzle. Installed in a sliding drawer burner arrangement that allows for quick and easy access, the oil burning system also includes a means by which particulate matter and carbonization build-ups are removed from the burner nozzle automatically, thereby eliminating the need for frequent cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Radek Masin
  • Patent number: 6073861
    Abstract: A pressurized fluid cleaning system includes a fluid source, a discharge line leading to a spray discharge element, and a motor driven cleaner such as a cleaning brush to clean the spray discharge element. A sensor in the discharge line responds to fluid back pressure above a pre-established level (or to flow rate below a pre-established level) to actuate a cleaner "on" switch. Additionally or alternatively, a fluid sensor in an overflow line from the fluid source responds to fluid in the overflow line to actuate the cleaner "on" switch. The sensors are also connected to a warning device and to a delayed response system "off" switch to shut down the entire system for human intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Heliojet Cleaning Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Wright, Blake Nicodemus
  • Patent number: 5988523
    Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler unit includes an outer cylindrical fixed housing for subsurface mounting, with a riser reciprocally mounted in a central bore of the housing for extending up through a portion of the soil. A radially retractable and expandable resilient plastic containment ring is mounted at an outlet end of the housing and engages an annular inner shoulder of the housing for retaining a coil spring and the riser in the bore. The containment ring is split to enable expansion and retraction. It has a first height throughout a first portion of its circumference and a second lower height throughout a second portion of its circumference to enable overlap during insertion of the ring into the upper end of the fixed housing. This configuration eliminates a gap at the split when the ring is in its retaining position, thereby preventing debris from entering the bore of the housing and preventing complete extension and/or retraction of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren W. Scott