Liquid Flow Induces Atmospheric Air (e.g., Faucet Aerator) Patents (Class 239/428.5)
  • Publication number: 20130082123
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet armature having a water outlet with an outlet opening bounded by an inner circumferential wall of the outlet armature, at which inner circumferential wall an internal thread or similar receptacle is provided, in which a sleeve-shaped outlet orifice having an external thread or similar mating receptacle can be threaded in or attached, an insert cartridge being inserted and/or threaded into the outlet orifice, said cartridge including a jet regulator. The outlet orifice supports at least one sealing ring on the circumferential wall thereof, this ring radially or axially sealing between the outer circumferential wall of the outlet orifice and the inner circumferential wall of the outlet armature. The outlet armature allows a reduced production effort and easier maintenance, without sacrificing functionality and seal tightness in the area of the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Stein, Oliver Denzler
  • Publication number: 20130082122
    Abstract: A jet regulator (1) having a jet regulator housing (4) including a housing part (5) having a sleeve-shaped housing wall (7), the sleeve interior of the housing part (5) being integrally connected to a jet fractionater (8) oriented transverse to the flow direction and including a plurality of flow-through openings (9) for dividing the inflowing water flow into a plurality of individual streams, a screen (11) being releasably supported in the sub-region (10) of the sleeve interior separated by the jet fractionater (9) on the inflow side. The jet regulator (1) according to the invention is characterized in that an external thread (12) is provided on the external circumference of the section (7) of the housing wall (7) bounding the inflow side sub-region (10) of the sleeve interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Stein
  • Publication number: 20130075496
    Abstract: A sanitary fitted element (1) which can be inserted into the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and is held releasably there. A characteristic feature of the fitted element (1) according to the invention is that said fitted element has an adjusting device for changing the clear sectional area of flow of the fitted element (1) and/or the discharge rate, which adjusting device is actuable via at least one control element (8) which is arranged actuably on the inflow side of the fitted element (1) and/or on the outflow side thereof. The fitted element (1) according to the invention can be used in a versatile manner in order to reduce the outlay on production and stock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Keith Hart, Gehard Blum, Marc Tempel, Christoph Weis
  • Patent number: 8402995
    Abstract: A flow-volume regulator has an elastic throttle body which delimits, between itself and a housing wall, a control gap that changes under the pressure of a fluid flow, and at least one associated bypass and/or cleaning channel that has at least one channel inlet arranged upstream of the control gap and at least one channel outlet arranged downstream of the control gap. The bypass and/or cleaning channel contains a valve which can move against a restoring force under the pressure of the oncoming fluid, from an open position into a closed position, and seals the bypass and/or cleaning channel in its closed position. The flow-volume regulator allows an additional volume of the fluid through the bypass channel when the oncoming fluid is at low pressure, so that its flow curve is significantly increased in the low pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Zoller
  • Publication number: 20130068860
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet insert (1) which can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting, comprising a flow rate regulator (2) or a flow limiter that has an adjusting element (3) which regulates or limits the flow area in cooperation with a counter element (3?). The aim of the invention is to easily adapt said outlet insert to the prevailing on-site water pressure and/or to the corresponding application in a simple manner. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the flow area of the flow rate regulator (2) or the flow limiter can be preselected or varied by an axial change of the relative position of the adjusting element (3) and the counter element (3?); in that additionally a handle is provided on the outlet end face (7) of the outlet insert (1), said handle being designed as a pushbutton; and in that an adjusting movement on the handle can be converted into a relative axial movement of the adjusting element (3) and the counter element (3?) by means of a pushbutton mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Marc Tempel
  • Publication number: 20130048756
    Abstract: A water jet having a housing with a first attachment means having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an inner side, and an outer side; an entrance slot accessible from the inner side and extending along the inner side a distance between the first side and the second side; a retaining path extending along at least one-quarter of the circumference of the first attachment means from the entrance slot, the retaining path for retaining a second attachment means; and a retainer located at a juncture between the entrance slot and the retaining path for removably retaining the second attachment means within the retaining path, wherein the retainer is movable from a locked or retaining position to an unlocked or releasing position and back; and a sleeve rotatably mounted within the housing, the sleeve having the second attachment means, the second attachment means being a protrusion extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the sleeve, wherein when the retainer is in the locked or retaini
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Custom Molded Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Drury, H. Charles Li
  • Publication number: 20130037277
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a foam generating apparatus having a mixing chamber housing inside a tank; a fluid injection head inside the mixing chamber housing for receiving the foaming agent traveling along an initial flow direction; a flow spoiler included in the fluid injection head for changing the initial flow direction of the foaming agent entering the fluid injection head; a first mixing chamber; a plurality of fluid ports included in the fluid injection head allowing foaming agent to exit the fluid injection head and enter the first mixing chamber thereby creating an intermediate foam in the first mixing chamber; a gas port allowing pressurized gas to mix with the intermediate foam generating output foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Darren Sean Henry
  • Publication number: 20130015268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure boosting showerhead, which consists of a housing, a ball shape connector, a rear holder, an inner holder, a separation header and an water outflow dish. Wherein, a bending second air passage and a second inlet chamber are set between the inner barrel of the rear holder and the cone tip of the inner holder. The second inlet chamber is communicated with the first inlet chamber in the housing. The second inlet chamber is communicated with the mixed chamber of the inner holder through the second air passage, to prevent water flow reversely penetrating into the air circulation path and boost pressure to maintain the water outflow of the showerhead with better impact strength to thereby achieve the purpose of saving water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: So-Mei Huang
  • Publication number: 20130008980
    Abstract: A jet regulator (1), including an annular or sheath-shaped jet regulator housing (2), the outlet end face (3) of which is designed as a hole structure, grate structure, and/or mesh structure having passage openings (6) surrounded by flow-guiding walls, wherein the hole structure, grate structure, and/or mesh structure on the outlet end face is made of a manually deformable, dimensionally elastic plastic material (7) at least in some sections and at least at the surface. The jet regulator (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the outlet end face (3) of the jet regulator housing (2) is designed as an outlet disk (8) that can be inserted into the jet regulator housing (2) and that supports the hole structure, grate structure, and/or mesh structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 8348174
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energy-saving and water-saving devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a head assembly is coupled to receive a liquid flow from a liquid supply and a gas flow from a gas supply, wherein the head assembly defines a mixing region configured to receive the liquid flow and the gas flow, and a dispensing portion configured to receive a combined flow from the mixing region. In some implementations, a spray nozzle may sprayably introduce the liquid flow into the mixing region. In other implementations, a plurality of curtain flows may be drawn through apertures into the dispensing portion by the combined flow. In still other implementations, a portion of the combined flow dispensed by the head assembly may be recaptured into the gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Larry K. Baker
  • Patent number: 8342431
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet fitting including a water outlet (2) and a jet regulator (1) which is associated with the water outlet and includes a jet regulator housing (3) with integrated components. The jet regulator housing can be inserted into the water outlet by an axial insertion movement and includes a holding element (6) provided with at least one radially mobile projection (10) for connecting to the water outlet. The outlet fitting includes either a locking element (8) that can be actuated from the outside without using a tool for selectively blocking and releasing the holding element, or an unlocking tool (65) can be inserted into the annular space (68) between the inner peripheral edge of the water outlet and the outer peripheral edge of the housing by an axial insertion movement. The insertion movement of the unlocking tool can be converted into a radial movement of the at least one projection of the holding element from a functional position into an unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Stein, Wolf-Dieter Lacher, Martin Fangmeier
  • Patent number: 8342429
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet fitting with a liquid guide which opens into an outlet fitting, in the region of which an insertable cartridge is provided. The liquid guide is matched in at least the mouth region of the outlet fitting to the insertable cartridge. The insertable cartridge is held in the outlet fitting by a sleeve-shaped intermediate holder, which is held in the outlet fitting in a radially sealed manner. A peripheral edge region on the admission side of the insertable cartridge is held in an axially sealed manner in the outlet fitting. The insertable cartridge is inserted with the aid of the intermediate holder supporting it into the outlet fitting to a depth such that the insertable cartridge is held securely. Accordingly, the insertable cartridge is scaled axially in its peripheral region on the admission side. The intermediate holder can also be held in a radially sealed manner in the outlet fitting to prevent undesired creepage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Publication number: 20120325928
    Abstract: A jet regulator for the outlet of a sanitary fitting or for a shower is provided that has at least two flow chambers or flow ducts, each of which has an inlet opening and one or more water outlet openings, the control of the flow to each flow chamber or flow duct is carried out via a valve having a resilient valve body which is arranged upstream of the flow chambers or flow ducts and optionally closes or opens the inlet openings thereof using the resilient valve body, wherein a deformation of the resilient valve body and thus a change in the valve position is carried out by a change in the applied water pressure or by mechanical actuation via an actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Eckhard Gransow, Werner Buschey
  • Publication number: 20120325933
    Abstract: A jet regulator (1) including a two-part jet-regulator housing (2), the outlet end face (3) of which has multiple passages (4), a pot-shaped inlay (6) that is inserted into the housing interior (2) until it reaches the outlet end face (3) and that has multiple tubular spray nozzles (7), each of which penetrates a passage (4) on the outlet end face of the jet regulator housing (2) and the free spray-nozzle region of which protrudes beyond the outlet end face (3) of the jet regulator (1, 5). The jet regulator also includes an insert (8) that is inserted in the housing interior and the position of the inlay part (6) is secured in an axial direction between the insert, the second housing part and the outlet end face (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Gerhard Blum
  • Publication number: 20120311777
    Abstract: An apparatus including a motor assembly having a motor. A jet assembly coupled to the motor assembly having an inlet and outlet aperture. An impeller configured to rotate causing a first fluid to flow into the inlet aperture and out the outlet aperture. A fluid guider that includes at least one wall member defining a first channel configured to guide the first fluid from the inlet aperture into the cavity. Additionally, the fluid guider includes at least one post defining a second channel extending through the post. The second channel configured to guide the first fluid from the cavity towards the outlet aperture and output the first fluid at an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the post. A second fluid channel member configured to provide a second fluid out the outlet aperture. A light source configured to illuminate the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin Le, Thanh Le
  • Patent number: 8328119
    Abstract: A water outlet for a low pressure sanitary outlet fitting has a perforated structure which is air-permeable counter to the water outlet direction and, in the unpressurized state, holds water in the outlet direction, and has a plurality of throughflow holes. At least one bypass is provided, which bypasses the perforated structure and has an opening cross section which is larger than the throughflow holes. A bypass valve is movable from a closed position into an open position counter to a resetting force as a consequence of an increase in pressure on the inflow side. If a hot water tank connected upstream of the water outlet fitting increasingly contracts as the heated water therein cools, air can nevertheless be sucked in via the perforated structure and the pressure can be equalized. If excessive pressures builds up with the heating of the water in the hot water tank, the bypass valve moves from a closed position into an open position counter to a resetting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 8322634
    Abstract: A micro bubble generating system includes a shell having a well for retaining a first liquid to immerse an object. A micro bubble apparatus is provide to the shell for providing a pressurized mixture of a second liquid and a dissolved gas into the well so as to create a plurality of micro bubbles within the first liquid for engaging the object. A shower apparatus includes a head having a plurality of projections for engaging a surface of an object, and an orifice therein; and a micro bubble component for fluid communication with the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Jason International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Cunningham, Eric Jackson, Remo C. Jacuzzi
  • Patent number: 8322633
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for encapsulating a gaseous solution in bubbles comprises a discharge tube having a diffuser and a foam solution spray nozzle mounted therein. The discharge tube has upstream and downstream ends. The discharge tube has a front face at the upstream end with a first opening configured to be joined to a gas supply line that provides a gaseous solution and a second opening configured to receive a non-expanded foam solution. The downstream end of the discharge tube is open. A chamber is formed within the discharge tube to receive the gaseous solution at the upstream end and release the gaseous solution through the diffuser into the discharge tube towards the downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Mitchell J. Hubert, Stephen A. Barker, Donald Bjorkman, Gregory R. Walker
  • Patent number: 8308084
    Abstract: A water spray structure includes an outer housing, an inner sleeve, a mesh member, a spray member and an end cap. The inner sleeve is located in the outer housing. A gap is defined between an outer wall of the inner sleeve and an inner wall of the outer housing. The inner sleeve has apertures thereon. The spray member is located in the inner sleeve and has a plurality of through holes around a circumferential portion thereof. Each of the through holes has a large upper part and a small lower part. The spray member has stop pieces under the through holes. The stop pieces are disposed in a tangent direction. A mixing chamber is defined between a lower end of the spray member and a lower portion of the inner sleeve. The spray member has the plurality of through holes disposed around the circumferential portion of the spray member, the inlets and the transversal inlets to separate water to flow in the through holes. The stop pieces are disposed under the through holes to disperse the water in a spiral form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Xiamen Runner Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Ke Sheng Peng
  • Publication number: 20120256016
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet unit (1) having an outlet fitting (2) having at least one water outlet (3) and including an aeration device (4) provided for aerating the water flow and arranged in the flow direction spaced from and upstream of the at least one water outlet (3), and having at least one valve part (5), which regulates the inflow from at least one water pipe (7) to the water outlet (3). In order to provide a sanitary outlet unit (1) that ensures reliable aeration of the water flow combined with good water tightness to water running back and that can be integrated without undue structural modifications into existing fittings, according to the invention the aeration device (4) is received in the at least one valve part (5) and the aeration device (4) is provided with at least one actuator (6), the movement of which between at least one closed and at least one open position alters the admission of ambient air to the water flow inside the valve part (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Schurle, Werner Bammerlin, Michael Steinbrunner
  • Publication number: 20120248221
    Abstract: A water saving valve is fitted to a hose or a water pipe and mixes air bubbles with water. Water receiving flask part 18 receives tap water from a water pipe 12. Tapered hole part 20 has a flow path whose cross-sectional area is gradually reduced from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Conduit part 32 has a large diameter section 56 and a small diameter section 57. The large diameter section 56 is linked to the tapered hole part 20. The conduit part 32 has a flow path 38 at an axial part thereof whose cross-sectional area is substantially uniform. The large diameter section 56 has an air suction port 30 running through from the flow path 38 of the axial section to the outer peripheral surface. A check valve 64 is inserted into the air suction port 30. Sleeve 50 is rigidly secured to the conduit part 32 by a support body 44 arranged at part of axial hole 90. The sleeve 50 has an eaves-like section 46.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: OHSHIMA KOGYO CO., LTD., ECOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Onuki
  • Publication number: 20120234943
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shower apparatus that allows the user to have a shower stream with a voluminous feel, even when a small volume of water is discharged, and also with a stimulus sensation arising from water being discharged in a pulsating manner. A shower apparatus F1 periodically changes the volume of air taken into an aeration unit 43 by oscillating a main water stream ejected toward the aeration unit 43 from a throttle unit 42 in a direction crossing the direction of the ejection, so that the bubbly water discharged from a water discharge unit 44 creates a pulsating shower stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotake UKIGAI, Minoru SATO, Katsuya NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20120228409
    Abstract: A sanitary insert (1) includes a housing (8) and a flow guide (4), the housing (8) having a generally cylindrical shape and an inner wall portion thereof has a concavity (3) around its periphery. The flow guide (4) having generally a disc shape with an outer wall portion thereof having a convexity (2), the housing (8) being configured to pivotally secure the flow guide (4) within it by a ball and socket type engagement thereby allowing an articulating movement of the flow guide (4) within the housing (8). The housing (8) being configured to be inserted into a plumbing outflow fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Lacher, Oliver Denzler, Alexander Stein
  • Patent number: 8245954
    Abstract: The purpose of the present device is to provide a simply-configured showerhead at a low price wherein the shower water is stopped simultaneously with the operation of the stop cock of the shower. Thus, sparing the user an unnecessary action of reattempting to turn off the stop cock. The showerhead comprises at least a body having a large channel and small channel defining a step and being in communication with each other. Further, nozzle is provided at one end of the showerhead and a water supply connection is provided at the other end. A partition tube may be inserted in the large channel to form an air-inflow chamber between the partition tube and the body. Thus, air may be introduced from an outer air-suction port into the water-inflow chamber through an inner air-suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Tanaka Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tanaka, Haruhiko Yasue
  • Patent number: 8230884
    Abstract: Control valve with profiled packing element for making bidirectional flow-through with asymmetric intensity possible in a flow area. The packing element (1) has a first surface which can be abutted against a second surface in the valve housing (2). The packing element (1) has a first position in which said first surface (3) and said second surface (4) abut against one another, and a second position in which said first surface (3) and said second surface (4) are distant from one another. At least one of the surfaces (3, 4) is provided with a damage (5) by means of which when said packing element (1) is in its first position a first cross-section of flow is ensured between said abutting first and second surfaces (3, 4), which is smaller than a second cross-section of flow ensured by said packing element (1) when it is in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bery Intellectual Properties Szellemi Tulajdonjogokat Hasznosito es Kezelo Korlatolt Felelossegu Tasaasag
    Inventor: Jozsef Bereznai
  • Publication number: 20120168534
    Abstract: A jet regulator, having a non-circular profile when viewed in a flow direction, is provided. The jet regulator includes a jet regulator housing configured to be inserted into a water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting from an outlet end side. The housing includes a latching part, which has at least one spring arm integrally formed on an outer periphery of the jet regulator housing, the at least one spring arm extending tangentially away from the housing, in the flow direction, toward a free arm end. The at least one spring arm is resiliently biased away from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Georg Stadtler
  • Patent number: 8205810
    Abstract: A sanitary water outlet (1) having a conduit (4) at the discharge end. The conduit (4) is provided with at least one perforated plate (5) and/or a grid structure or lamellar structure with a number of discharge holes or discharge openings (7) which are bordered by flow guide walls (6). The water outlet is characterized in that it has a joint sleeve (2) which is adjustably or pivotally disposed in a socket (3) while the conduit (4) is provided inside the joint sleeve (2). The water outlet allows the water jet that is discharged from a water discharging plumbing fixture to be oriented as needed without requiring a ball-and-socket joint which uses a lot of space and may not be aesthetically appealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Lacher, Oliver Denzler, Alexander Stein
  • Patent number: 8191799
    Abstract: A shower head includes a nozzle, a connector mounted on the nozzle, a fastening member secured on the nozzle and abutting the connector, a bushing mounted in the connector, and a locking screw member locked onto the connector. Thus, when the water flows through the shower head, the ambient air is introduced through the air conducting holes of the connector and the air conducting apertures of the bushing into the flow conduit of the bushing to break the vacuum state in the shower head and to perturb the water flow in the shower head so as to produce a turbulent flow in the shower head so that the water flow injected from the nozzle is divided into multiple straight water beams and multiple irregular water bubbles so as to increase the flushing angle and area of the shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Sunrise Shower Products Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 8177146
    Abstract: A shower head includes a nozzle unit, a quick connector mounted on the nozzle unit, and a bushing mounted in the quick connector. Thus, when the water flows through the shower head, the ambient air is introduced through the air conducting holes of the quick connector and the air conducting apertures of the bushing into the flow conduit of the bushing to break the vacuum state in the shower head and to perturb the water flow in the shower head so as to produce a turbulent flow in the shower head so that the water flow injected from the nozzle unit is divided into multiple straight water beams and multiple irregular water bubbles so as to increase the flushing angle and area of the shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sunrise Shower Products Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Chih Chen
  • Publication number: 20120091232
    Abstract: A jet aerator (1) having an aerator housing (8) that can be installed in the water discharge of a sanitary outlet fitting, and having a jet splitter (12) in the interior of the housing, dividing the inflowing water flow into a plurality of individual jets, a mixing zone (14) being disposed downstream of the splitter for aerating the individual jets, wherein at least one aerator duct (16) is provided that ends in the mixing zone (14). The jet aerator has a throttle or closing piece (18) for reducing and/or optionally activating or deactivating the aerating function, the throttle or closing piece being displaceable between an open position opening the at least one aerating duct (16) and a throttle or closing position at least partially closing the at least one aerating duct (16) by a rotary and/or sliding movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Grether, Alexander Stein, Daniel Oechsle, Christoph Weis
  • Patent number: 8109449
    Abstract: An outlet nozzle (1) which can be attached to an outlet fitting, or to a similar outlet end of a sanitary water line, which includes a valve unit (3), which is displaceable between a blocking position, closing the water line, and an open position, releasing the water line, wherein at least one aerator unit having a jet divider, homogenizer, and/or flow rectifier, a shower unit, or similar jet former, is provided in the outlet nozzle (1). The outlet nozzle (1) is characterized by the low space requirement and production costs thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Weis, Oliver Denzler, Alexander Stein, Martin Fangmeier
  • Publication number: 20120024984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water saving aerator that can generate high quality babble foam water including the fine bubble entirely. The water saving aerator is attached to the water facilities such as the water tap for generating bubble foam water and flowing the bubble foam water. The water saving aerator comprises a water flow forming portion 110 for forming the water flow through the water saving aerator; a ventilation pass 120 for supplying the outer air to the water flow from the side direction via an air intake hole 121 installed on the side surface of a water flow cylinder; and a water flow accelerator 111 for accelerating the water flow supplied from the water flow forming portion and jetting an accelerated water flow jet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Masaaki Takano
  • Publication number: 20110315791
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shower apparatus which allows a user to enjoy spray of water with a voluminous feel even when a small volume of water is discharged as well as with a comfortable stimulus sensation of an instantaneous flow rate of the spray varying greatly. The shower apparatus periodically varies a volume of air taken into an aeration unit by periodically changing a traveling direction of a water stream ejected to the aeration unit from a throttle unit and produces pulsating spray by varying the instantaneous flow rate of bubbly water discharged from a nozzle unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotake UKIGAI, Minoru SATO, Katsuya NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20110297759
    Abstract: A device for dispensing an aerated jet of water comprises an outer casing (10), a dispenser plate (14) which closes said outer casing and in which a plurality of nozzles (16) for the outlet of the water is provided, and an intermediate plate (18) positioned in said casing so as to define a water inlet chamber (20) communicating with a water supply duct (21), and a water outlet chamber (24) communicating with the outlet nozzles (16) of the water. In the intermediate plate (18) there is provided an air-water mixing chamber (26) communicating with the water inlet chamber through a plurality of water inlet holes (28), with the outside environment through a number of air intake holes (30) and with the water outlet chamber through a plurality of aerated water (32) outlet holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: NIKLES TEC ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alberto Morbio
  • Publication number: 20110284662
    Abstract: A shower apparatus F1 includes a water supply unit 21; a throttle unit 22 installed downstream of the water supply unit 21 and adapted to eject passing water downstream; an aeration unit 23 provided with an opening 231 adapted to produce bubbly water by aerating the water ejected through the throttle unit 22; and a nozzle unit 24 provided with a plurality of nozzle holes 243 adapted to discharge the bubbly water, wherein a virtual water ejection straight line obtained by extending an ejection direction of the water ejected through the throttle unit 22 reaches a location where the nozzle holes 243 are formed, without interfering with inner walls of the aeration unit 23 and the nozzle unit 24.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ohashi, Minoru Sato, Yutaka Aihara, Minami Okamoto, Kiyotake Ukigai, Katsuya Nagata
  • Publication number: 20110284661
    Abstract: A water saving device is provided. By a gap defined between a water stopper and a water inlet member of a water guide assembly and a plurality of water discharging portions of the water stopper, the water from the plurality of water discharging portions of the water stopper quickly and stably enters a water guide portion of the water inlet member of the water guide assembly and flows to a net cover through a plurality of water outlet portions of the water inlet member. The gap between the water stopper and the water inlet member of the water guide assembly incorporated with the plurality of water discharging portions of the water stopper guides the water to flow out quickly and stably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Chin-Miao CHANG, Hung Shen Chen
  • Publication number: 20110266369
    Abstract: A functional plumbing unit is provided, which is configured as an insertion cartridge insertable into a fluid conduit of a discharging plumbing fixture. The insertion cartridge includes a housing and a jet regulator. The housing includes an external thread on an outside thereof, configured to be screwed into an internal thread of the discharging plumbing fixture, a height of the housing, in a flow direction, generally corresponds to the external thread, a ring seal located in a downstream position therefrom and an upstream housing edge, the external thread is arranged between the downstream ring seal and the upstream housing edge, and at least a jet fractionating part, is arranged at an inlet end configured to be connected to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Hermann GRETHER
  • Patent number: 8047457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a jet outlet element for a sanitary fitting which allows outlet of a defined gushing jet from the sanitary fitting. The sanitary outlet element is configured as a flat element having two compartments, a water inlet compartment and a water outlet compartment. A narrowed section is interposed between the two compartments and accommodates a flow rectifier. Said flow rectifier rectifies the as yet non-directional flow of the water in the inlet compartment and guides it in a controlled manner to the outlet compartment from where it emerges through the slotted outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventors: Arno Hahn, Joachim Blattner, Ulrich Kinle, Jochen Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20110240767
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water spouting device which enables air bubble entrained water with an increased entrainment rate of air bubbles to be discharged at a low flow rate stage even though the user adjusts the flow rate based on the same feeling as that for a conventional water spouting device, the present water spouting device further enabling, at a high flow rate stage, prevention of discharge of air bubble entrained water with such a total amount as makes the user feel that the resultant amount of water significantly exceeds that intended by the user. A spout cap BC serving as the present water spouting device includes a pressure reducing portion 30 serving as an entrainment rate adjusting portion to adjust the entrainment rate of air bubbles entrained in air bubble entrained water in an air bubble entraining portion 703.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu KITAURA, Koji TAKEDA, Tomohiro KUDO, Ryohei YAITA
  • Publication number: 20110215175
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water saving aerator that can reduce the amount of water flow and generate bubble foam water from water provided by the water delivery apparatus such as a water tap. The water saving aerator comprises a water saving disc 10 for controlling the amount of water from the water tap 200, having the through-hole 11 whose diameter is smaller than that of the water tap 200, so the water flow is injected by covering the opening of the water tap 200. A first cylinder 30 covering a diffuser object 20 is provided and a second cylinder 40 covering the first cylinder 30 is provided. The water injected from the through-hole 11 of the water saving disc 10 is diffused by the diffuser object 20, and the diffused water is received by the inner wall of the first cylinder 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Masaaki Takano
  • Patent number: 8006922
    Abstract: An aerator for a plumbing fixture is provided, especially for a washstand, water basin or tub. The plumbing fixture includes a water outlet that leads to a forward outlet end in which an aerator that is penetrated by the water is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, which is removably fixed. The pivotable aerator is mounted within an outer ring that is screwed into the outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Katzer
  • Publication number: 20110198416
    Abstract: Provided is a shower apparatus which can stably supply bubbly water through all nozzle holes and can cause water droplets of large, uniform size to land continuously on the user so as to allow the user to enjoy a shower with a voluminous feel as if the user were being showered by large drops of rain. The shower apparatus includes a water supply unit, a throttle unit adapted to eject passing water downstream, an aeration unit adapted to produce bubbly water by aerating the water ejected through the throttle unit, and a nozzle unit provided with a plurality of nozzle holes used to discharge the bubbly water, wherein the throttle unit has a flat-shaped throttle channel and water ejected through the throttle channel plunges into an air-liquid interface as a sheet-like stream, thereby producing bubbly water, which is then discharged through the nozzle hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotake UKIGAI, Minoru SATO, Takahiro OHASHI, Yutaka AIHARA, Minami OKAMOTO, Katsuya NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20110198415
    Abstract: Provided is a shower apparatus which can stably produce and supply bubbly water to nozzle holes, causing finely divided water droplets of relatively large, uniform size to land continuously on a user so as to allow the user to enjoy a shower with a voluminous feel as if the user were being showered by large drops of rain. The shower apparatus includes a water supply unit, a throttle unit adapted to eject passing water downstream, an aeration unit adapted to produce bubbly water by aerating the water ejected through the throttle unit, and a nozzle unit provided with a plurality of nozzle holes used to discharge the bubbly water, wherein an ejection speed changing means is installed in the water supply unit to at least partially vary ejection speeds of the water ejected from respective throttle channels of the plurality of throttle channels of the throttle unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotake UKIGAI, Minoru SATO, Takahiro OHASHI, Yutaka AIHARA, Minami OKAMOTO, Katsuya NAGATA
  • Patent number: 7975936
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture including, but not limited to, an aspirating type shower head operates to add a selected scent to the spray water. The showerhead utilizes a venturi assembly where the water supply passes through a venturi. A negative pressure is created at the high velocity water jet stream point, near the narrow area of the venturi. A number of small openings in the venturi, to a surrounding air chamber, allow air from the chamber, to be drawn into the venturi. The air chamber has inlet openings for the aspiration of room air. At a portion of these inlet openings is a quick connect port to receive a scented cartridge. The scent cartridge is positioned within the quick connect port of the showerhead. Room air is drawn through and over the scented material where the high velocity air picks up scent molecules for expulsion from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: John J. Paoluccio
  • Patent number: 7975773
    Abstract: A high expansion foam fire-extinguishing system including: an emission nozzle (9) to which a foam solution (Wg) prepared by mixing water (W) with a foam concentrate (16) containing a surface active agent (18) is sent under pressure; a flow passage (2); and a foam screen (7) upon which the foam solution discharged from the emission nozzle impinges. The foam concentrate used is one of one in which a mixing ratio of the foam concentrate with respect to the foam solution is an adjusted mixing ratio higher than a standard mixing ratio and one in which a content rate of the surface active agent with respect to the foam concentrate is a design content rate that is higher than a standard content rate, and in which a mixing ratio of the surface active agent is a concentration for design foam expansion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nohmi Bosai Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Murata, Akihiko Yokoo
  • Patent number: 7971609
    Abstract: A water saving device for use at or near a water outlet has a first water flow regulating element; a second water flow regulating element disposed downstream of the first regulating element; and a chamber formed between the first and second regulating elements. All of one or more water flow regulating parts of the second regulating element are made from substantially solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: JVL Engineering Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Meng Loong
  • Patent number: 7946512
    Abstract: A shower head for a hand-held shower attachment contains, in the center of its jet disc, an insert with three individual nozzle bodies. Each individual nozzle body is designed for discharging an individual jet. To this end, it has a continuous jet opening. Each of these in individual nozzle bodies is mounted in a manner that enables it to move relative to the shower head and to the jet disc, and is placed in rotation by a water-driven rotor. Said continuous jet opening extends at an angle to the rotation axis of the individual nozzle body. When the individual nozzle body rotates, the jet exiting there from moves on an envelope of a cone. Each individual nozzle body, contains an aerating device that aspirates the air immediately next to the outlet opening and, inside the individual nozzle body, mixes the air with the water entering this individual nozzle body. As a result, the individual nozzle body discharges an aerated jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Franz Schorn
  • Publication number: 20110114761
    Abstract: An aerated bubble generating device, integrated into water-supply means and creating fine bubbles, includes a bubble generation unit, a bubble density-adjustment unit and a water discharge unit. The bubble generation unit has a bubble generation device arranged in the predetermined object and a switch electrically connecting to the bubble generation device and exposed out of the predetermined object. The bubble density-adjustment unit has a bubble density-adjustment device arranged in the predetermined object, for controlling the size of each bubble. The bubble density-adjustment device defines a distal end linking the bubble generation device. The water discharge unit has a water-supply device exposed out of the predetermined object and a communicating pipe linking both of the bubble density-adjustment and the water-supply devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: CASHIDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: SHIH-CHANG CHEN, CHIH-HSIANG CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110089263
    Abstract: A water delivery system (10) includes a first component (52) coupled to a fluid transport member (20) and a second component (66) coupled to an aerator (34) for positioning within a faucet spout (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Hughett, Kurt J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110079664
    Abstract: An aerating nozzle tip comprises a housing having a central axis, an inlet, an outlet, a plurality of passages disposed around the central axis between the inlet and the outlet, and a circumferential aspirator disposed between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: STRAHMAN VALVES, INC.
    Inventor: Samuel Gregory Stednitz