Liquid Flow Induces Atmospheric Air (e.g., Faucet Aerator) Patents (Class 239/428.5)
  • Publication number: 20110036930
    Abstract: A sanitary functional unit having a sleeve-shaped insert cartridge insertable into the pipe-shaped fixture outlet of a sanitary outlet fixture is provided. The insert cartridge has a water inlet at the cartridge circumference and a jet former having flow guiding walls oriented transversely to the cartridge longitudinal axis provided in the water outlet. The functional unit deflects the water jet flowing in from the axial direction such that water subsequently flows out of the fixture outlet in a nearly radial direction. The functional unit has a jet former, provided in the region of the water outlet, supporting flow guiding walls that are oriented transversely and perpendicularly to the cartridge longitudinal axis. Since the functional unit is oriented approximately coaxially to the fixture outlet, it also does not project beyond the pipe circumference of the fixture outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Denzler, Christoph Weis, Christoph Taran
  • Patent number: 7878426
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet unit (1) is provided, including an outlet armature (2), with a flow regulator (4) in a region of the water outlet (3) thereof, wherein an aeration device is provided for aeration of the water flow. The outlet unit (1) provides that the aeration unit (5) is located in the outlet armature (2) and/or in at least one water line leading to the outlet armature (2) separately from the flow regulator (4). Through the spatial separation of the functions of flow shaping or water discharge and the aeration of the water flow, there are many possible embodiments for optionally providing the water outlet (3) of the sanitary outlet unit (1) with an extremely thin design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Denzler
  • Patent number: 7871023
    Abstract: A flow regulator, jet regulator or backflow preventer (11) having at least two components or parts (2, 11), a first one (2) of which can be inserted into a receiving opening (12) of the second part (12). The two parts (2, 11) can be interconnected using a locking arrangement (13, 17). One part is provided with at least one locking cam while the other part (11) is provided with a locking groove which is assigned to the locking cam and is used as a counterpart. One of the parts is provided with a slot (15) or similar recess located at a distance (a) from the outer or inner circumference of the part (2) in the area of the at least one locking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Publication number: 20110006132
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 7866572
    Abstract: Using a simple structure, a new function is added to a liquid such as tap water by taking a gas into the liquid. The bubble-generating structure of the present invention includes (1) a water-discharging nozzle, which is provided inside a pipe, (2) a receiving member, which is situated a specified distance from the water-discharging nozzle and which includes a flow path for passing liquid emitted from the water-discharging nozzle, and (3) an air hole provided in such a way as to take air into a space between the water-discharging nozzle and the receiving member. By taking in air due to a suction force that is generated when the liquid passes along the flow path, bubbles are generated in the liquid. When such a structure for generating bubbles in the liquid is included in a showerhead, a person taking a shower using the showerhead can have a healthy and comfortable feeling while showering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Saiseiko Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Toukichi Ichige
  • Publication number: 20100327082
    Abstract: A water-saving device includes an attachment cover 2 that can be mounted to a tap 1 or the like, a water-saving piece 6 that is internally fitted to the attachment cover 2 and has at least one water discharge hole 62, and a watertight gasket 3 for preventing a water leak between the tap 1 or the like and the attachment cover 2, wherein a pressure reducing piece 4 is disposed between the attachment cover 2 and the water-saving piece 6, and in the pressure reducing piece 4 is formed a flow path changing hole 42 that forcibly changes the direction of water supplied from a water discharge means of the tap 1 or the like to reduce water pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Kazumi Doiuchi, Hiroshi Michiwaki
  • Patent number: 7850097
    Abstract: An aerating nozzle assembly has at least one aerating nozzle, and each aerating nozzle has a body, an annular air casing and at least one air tube. The body is tubular and has a channel and a constriction. The constriction is formed around the body and has multiple air holes formed through the constriction and communicating with the channel. The annular air casing is hollow and is mounted around the air holes in the constriction and has an air chamber, an annular surface and at least one air supply hole formed through the annular surface. The at least one air tubes are mounted securely respectively in the air supply holes. Accordingly, the air holes around the constriction allow air to be drawn into the liquid and more completely and homogenously aerate the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventors: Kuo-Tang Tseng, Kuo-Hung Tseng
  • Publication number: 20100282869
    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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Publication number: 20100258653
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tanaka, Haruhiko Yasue
  • Publication number: 20100213284
    Abstract: A jet regulator is provided with a jet fractioning device designed as perforated plate with a number of flow-through holes that are located at a distance to each other. The perforated plate has at least one reinforcement rib on its flat side on the inflow side and/or outflow side to reinforce the perforated plate. On its side facing the outflow side the jet regulator has an additional perforated plate with a number of flow-through holes defined by flow guide walls. At least one distance piece is provided on at least one of the sides of the perforated plate that are facing each other and/or on an adjacent jet regulator component part. The distance piece deforms the perforated plate and the jet regulator component part as the result of a relative motion during the jet regulator installation from a non-deformed initial position into a round bodied or convexly bent application position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Staedtler
  • Publication number: 20100213283
    Abstract: A jet regulator for accommodating a water flow, comprises, a distributor surface having a plurality of through-flow holes for distributing the water flow; a rebounding surface arranged in a central region of a flow cross-section; and a plurality of flow guiding walls connected downstream of the distributor surface, and oriented in a flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Georg Staedtler
  • Publication number: 20100200675
    Abstract: A kind of foam spray gun, comprising a gun body, a nozzle, a trigger, a one-way liquid inlet mechanism, a piston rod, a piston, a resetting piece, a one-way valve and 2 foaming screen meshes, said gun body being provided with a foam generating channel, said piston sleeve being mounted on the inner side of said trigger and moving inward under the driving force of said trigger and engaged with said gun body, said piston being mounted on inner cavity of said piston sleeve and moving together with said piston sleeve and engaged with said gun body to form the first cavity and the second cavity, said one-way valve and foaming screen meshes being mounted inside the foam generating channel of said gun body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: XUFENG TU
  • Patent number: 7757969
    Abstract: A jet regulator (1) having a jet fractionating device (2) which distributes the incoming water flow into a plurality of individual jets is provided. The jet regulator (1) has at least one individual jet, from the individual jets formed by the fractionating device, which impacts on a node point (3) of a criss-crossing grid of bars (4, 5) of an outlet side downstream grid network (6). At least one node point (3) is configured as an inlet side recess of the grid network (6) and/or the jet regulator is an aerated jet regulator having a jet regulator housing (7) which includes at least one aeration opening (8) on a periphery of the housing thereof and at least one deflecting projection (9) which is used to maintain the water jet at a distance from the aeration opening that is arranged on the inner periphery of the housing in the direction of flow below the at least one aeration opening (8). The jet regulator (1) provides an improved fractionating of the incoming individual jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Lacher, Hermann Grether
  • Publication number: 20100155505
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout body formed by joining an upper body and a lower body to one another. A one-piece spout tube is secured to the upper body. For example, only a cartridge seat and an aerator of the faucet are used to hold the spout tube in the upper body. Water supply hoses connected to the cartridge seat bring hot and/or cold water from a water supply source to a valve cartridge interfaced with the cartridge seat. The water flows from the water supply source, through the water supply hoses, the cartridge seat, the valve cartridge, and the spout tube, and out the spout body through the aerator. The valve cartridge allows a user to control a flow rate and/or temperature of the water delivered through the spout tube and out the spout body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Darren S. Lopp, William E. Patton
  • Publication number: 20100149906
    Abstract: The liquid accelerator and chemical mixing system apparatus is a means for generating a velocity head differential to a current of liquid in a liquid environment or liquid containment means or a natural water body. The generating means includes a venturi eductor, having a motive liquid distribution housing and at least one venturi nozzle. The venturi eductor functions by motive liquid introduced from a remote motive liquid source, received via the motive liquid attachment means passing through a motive liquid main pipe or cylinder, through the liquid distribution housing, which is circumferentially attached to the eductor tube. The generated velocity head differential induces and accelerates the current of liquid, enabling the venturi eductor to discharge a current of liquid to move objects within the liquid environment by directing the current of liquid and to induce and mix chemicals in a liquid containment means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Gordon C. Burns, II
  • Patent number: 7731107
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sanitary component (1) that has a jet regulating device (4) in the interior of a mounting housing (6). The jet regulating device (4) includes at least one directly-mounted element (5) housed in the mounting housing (6), this element being provided with ridges (11) transverse to the flow direction and defining between them passageways (12). The invention is characterized in that the ridges (11) of at least one directly mounted element (5) are arranged in the form of a grid or network and intersect at junction points. The component (1) according to the invention, which can be manufactured inexpensively, exhibits the best possible jet regulating characteristics, even if the transverse surface is relatively small; moreover, the component (1) according to the invention requires little maintenance, without any risk of malfunction resulting from dirt carried by the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Publication number: 20100127101
    Abstract: A jet regulator (1) which can be inserted with its jet regulator housing (4) into the water outlet (2) of a sanitary outlet fitting (3) from a direction of the outlet end side and which, in the use position, is releasably fastened or fixed in the water outlet (2). The jet regulator is releasably latched in the water outlet (2). The latching device for fixing the jet regulator in the water outlet (2) is not visible from the outside and therefore also do not have an objectionable appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Georg Stadtler
  • Publication number: 20100116900
    Abstract: Two-substance nozzle, cluster nozzle with several two-substance nozzles and method for the atomization of fluids by means of a two-substance nozzle. The invention relates to a two-substance nozzle with a nozzle housing, said nozzle housing comprising at least one fluid inlet for fluid that is to be atomized, a second fluid inlet for gaseous fluid, a mixing chamber, a nozzle outlet opening and an annular gap opening surrounding the nozzle outlet opening, whereby, within the nozzle housing, means are provided for generating a film of fluid that is to be atomized on a wall in the mixing chamber, and inlet openings are provided for injecting gaseous fluid into the mixing chamber. In accordance with the invention, the inlet openings and the mixing chamber are aligned and configured in a manner so as to inject the gaseous fluid essentially parallel to the wall in the mixing chamber and to move the stream of gaseous fluid within the mixing chamber essentially parallel past the wall. Use, e.g., for flue gas cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Dieter Wurz
  • Publication number: 20100102145
    Abstract: A faucet aerator is provided with a plurality of pins oriented in a flow direction, spaced apart from one another, and extending essentially over the distance between a flow-dispersing device and an adjacent grid and/or lattice structure. The pins each have an evaporation surface, which is situated outside the region that is struck directly by the individual streams but can be wetted by the water flowing through the aerator housing and for this purpose, the pins are situated laterally outside the projection of the through-flow holes oriented in the flow direction. These comparatively long pins around which the flowing water circulates are covered by an enveloping water film even after the water valve is closed, which results in an increased humidity and therefore a reduced evaporation in the housing interior of the aerator housing. This prevents a complete drying-out of the interior of the aerator housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Staedtler
  • Publication number: 20100065661
    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: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Grether, Alexander Stein, Daniel Oechsle, Christoph Weis
  • Patent number: 7677473
    Abstract: A spout for foaming and saving water has a shell, a foaming assembly mounted in the shell, a sieving assembly mounted on a faucet end of the foaming assembly and a regulator mounted through the foaming assembly. The foaming assembly has a sleeve, a distributor mounted in the sleeve, a foaming ring mounted between the sleeve and the distributor and an inlet valve mounted on a faucet end of the sleeve. The spout is mounted on an outlet of a faucet to allow water to flow through the sieving assembly and the foaming assembly and mix with air to foam to provide foaming water flowing out of the spout. Impurities in the water do not clog the foam assembly and water flow is regulated with the regulator selectively mounted in a water flow hole of the inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Highplus International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Yueh Kao
  • Publication number: 20100044470
    Abstract: A device for positioning profiled aerator body in a movement range that corresponds to the flow-rate range of the aerator, wherein the profiled body (12) includes a cylindrical member (30) having an axis parallel to the movement direction of the body relative to the holder, the holder (10) includes a cylindrical housing having a section complementary to that of the cylindrical member (30), and the device further includes an O ring (24) provided between the cylindrical member (30) and the cylindrical housing of the holder (10) and maintained on the holder (10) so that it permits a relative movement of the profiled body and of the holder by a sliding movement of the O ring (24) on the profiled body. The device can be used in automobiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Loys Azzouz, Tony Ercolano, Pierre Guerreiro
  • Publication number: 20100044454
    Abstract: The nozzle contains at least one swirl chamber (8), which is cylindrical in shape and situated between the spin chamber (7) and the outlet opening (4), and the diameter (d1) of the first swirl chamber (8), connected with a spin chamber (7), is less than the diameter (D) of the spin chamber (7). When the number of swirl chambers (8) is greater than one, the diameter (d2) of each following swirl chamber (9) is less than that of the preceding swirl chamber (8). The nozzle has an outlet chamber (10), which sides have one or more air inlet. The method of optimization of the working parameters of the water spray nozzle consists in that the stream drawn from the water supply conduit is supplied into the spin chamber (7) entirely or at least 95% through the spin channels (6, 6?) and the stream is put through one or more successive cylindrical swirl chamber(s) (8, 9) having decreasing diameters (d2<d1), and then it is directed to the outlet opening (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Krzysztof Karazniewicz
  • Patent number: 7661608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a jet regulator (1) having a jet fractionating device inside a mounting housing (6). The jet regulator (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the mounting housing (6) is divided into at least two housing parts (7, 8), and that the housing parts (7, 8) can be connected to one another, and that a housing part (7) at the flow inlet side is connected fixedly and non-releasably with the jet fractionating device (2). The jet regulator (1) according to the present invention is distinguished by a high degree of shape stability and by manufacturing costs that are nonetheless low, even for small housing diameters (see FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Publication number: 20100019065
    Abstract: A sanitary component, namely a stream regulator or stream former for flowing fluid media, including of property-defining constructional elements which are arranged in a sandwich-like manner in the direction of flow and have at least one wire-mesh screen attachment, a diffuser plate system and a shell body with stream-forming segments extending over the cross-sectional area thereof and provided with openings. The property-defining constructional elements are exchangeable and combinable. A locking means is arranged on the inner circumference of the shell body, and a corresponding counter-locking means is arranged on the outer circumference of the diffuser plate system. The diffuser plate system is provided with an optical coding specifying the flow rate class and the shell body with an optical coding defining the flow type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: NEOPERL, Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver Denzler
  • Publication number: 20100012752
    Abstract: An aerating nozzle assembly has at least one aerating nozzle, and each aerating nozzle has a body, an annular air casing and at least one air tube. The body is tubular and has a channel and a constriction. The constriction is formed around the body and has multiple air holes formed through the constriction and communicating with the channel. The annular air casing is hollow and is mounted around the air holes in the constriction and has an air chamber, an annular surface and at least one air supply hole formed through the annular surface. The air tubes are mounted securely respectively in the air supply holes. Accordingly, the air holes around the constriction allow air to be drawn into the liquid and more completely and homogenously aerate the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Kuo-Tang TSENG, Kuo-Hung TSENG
  • Patent number: 7644876
    Abstract: A turning tool (5?) for turning a jet regulator, a nozzle, an intermediate holder, a flow regulator, a non-return valve or a similar plumbing fitting (5) is provided. The fitting (5), on the outlet side, is detachably held on a plumbing water outlet armature (2) by a threaded connection or a bayonet connection, whereby the turning tool (5?) can be placed on the plumbing fitting (5) in a rotationally fixed manner. The turning tool is characterized in that the turning tool is also provided in the form of a plumbing fitting or as a component of a plumbing fitting, that he turning tool (5?) can be placed in a rotationally fixed manner on an outer or an inner periphery of the fitting (5) that is held on the water outlet armature, and or that he turning tool (5?) has a face profiling or contouring (24, 25) that can be placed in a rotationally fixed manner on a mating profiling or a mating contouring (25, 24) provided on the outlet face of the fitting (5) that is held in the water outlet armature (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Weis, Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 7641133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning lance with a nozzle tube (1), on whose outlet-side end there is a discharge nozzle (2), which can be switched by means of a switching mechanism between a high-pressure position and a low-pressure position. In order to be able to perform both the foam application and also the high-pressure wash with such a cleaning lance, without requiring manual switching of the operating function on the cleaning lance itself, it is provided that the nozzle tube (1) has an air inlet (3), which can be closed with a valve (4), wherein the valve function is coupled to the switching mechanism of the discharge nozzle (2), such that the valve (4) closes the air inlet (3) when the discharge nozzle (2) switches from its low-pressure position into its high-pressure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Washtec Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Wilfert
  • Publication number: 20090308952
    Abstract: A sanitary water-outlet fitting (1) which has a water outlet (2) that is provided on the outflow side in the region of the water outlet (2), with a flow guide (3) which has at least one perforated plate (4), screen or lamellar structure with a number of outlet holes or outlet openings (6) surrounded by flow-guide walls (7). The flow guide (3) is configured as a jet regulator, and the flow-guide walls (7) of at least individual outlet holes or outlet openings (6) are arranged at an angle to the flow direction of the water flowing into the flow guide (3) on the inflow side, and the flow-guide walls (7) of these outlet holes or outlet openings (6) deflect the inflowing water stream in a direction of their longitudinal extent. It has been found that such a flow guide (3) is capable of deflecting the water in the direction of the axial position of the flow-guide walls (7), even in the case of the flow guide (3) having a comparatively short longitudinal extent in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Heinz Buettgen
  • Patent number: 7611753
    Abstract: A process is provided for impregnating porous mineral substrates by a spray technique in which use is made of a gas-supported spraying assembly to apply liquid impregnating agent in a controlled manner to the substrate surface, the amount consumed being markedly less than the amount consumed in a conventional method of application by a flow-coating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Bernd Bartkowiak, Kerstin Weissenbach, Nadja Kempkes, Burkhard Standke
  • Patent number: 7611070
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture including an aspirating type showerhead 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 then inserted into the quick connect port of the showerhead. Room air is then drawn through and over the scent cartridge where the high velocity air picks up scent molecules from the scented wick within the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: John J. Paoluccio
  • Publication number: 20090230216
    Abstract: A jet regulator (1) which can be installed into the water outlet (2) of a sanitary outlet fitting (3), on the front side thereof. The jet regulator (1) can be arranged in a detachable or fixed manner in the water outlet (2). The jet regulator includes at least one holding element (4) for arranging or fixing the jet regulator (1) in the water outlet (2), with the holding element being inserted into a passage opening (5) on the perimeter of the fitting housing and engaging, in a fixed manner, with the end area thereof, the jet regulator (1), which projects into the interior of the fitting housing. The jet regulator (1) has a jet regulator housing (7) with an insertion opening (13) on the peripheral side, with the housing including in the interior at least one insertion guide (14) which is oriented across the jet regulator housing longitudinal axis, and at least one, preferably jet-producing, converter piece (15) can be inserted into the at least one insertion guide (14) from the insertion opening (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Städtler
  • Patent number: 7584908
    Abstract: Spray nozzle apparatus and method. The apparatus can include a body, a spray orifice, a filter, and an insert. The body can have a spray outlet portion. The spray outlet portion can terminate in a spherical dome. The spray orifice can be included in the spray outlet portion and positioned before the spherical dome in a flow path. The spray orifice can be substantially V-shaped. The insert can be positioned at least partially in the spray outlet portion and can include an entry shaft having a substantially rectangular cross section and at least one projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor W. B. Swan, Simon J. Waddelow, Mark Mohr
  • Patent number: 7581685
    Abstract: A faucet end piece connectable to a faucet nozzle is provided including a cylindrical body defining a cavity, a vertical pipe extending within the cavity, and an internal partition with water passages therethrough, extending across the cavity and connecting the vertical pipe to the body; a valve insertable in the cavity including a cap portion fitting over the vertical pipe and having at least one side orifice, a bore and a flange portion projecting transversally from the cap portion; a resilient element insertable inside the cavity between the body's internal partition and the valve flange portion. The valve is movable vertically under water pressure between an upper position wherein water flows through the cap portion side orifice, the bore and through the body vertical pipe, and a lower position where water flows around the cap portion through the internal partition water passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: Christian Belisle
  • Publication number: 20090178812
    Abstract: A venturi nozzle producing a stream of aerated water containing air-entrained bubbles. The stream of aerated water containing air-entrained bubbles may be directed onto a fire to extinguish the fire. Water entering the venturi nozzle may be mixed with a fluid substance, such as a foam-producing substance, gas, or powdered substance suspended in air, and the mixture may be ejected from the nozzle. Embodiments of the venturi nozzle including a fire-fighting nozzle, a sprinkler head, and an array of sprinklers are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Jason David Solomon, Marvin Rosenberg
  • Publication number: 20090166450
    Abstract: A spout for foaming and saving water has a shell, a foaming assembly mounted in the shell, a sieve assembly mounted on a faucet end of the foaming assembly and a regulator mounted through the foaming assembly. The foaming assembly has a sleeve, a distributor mounted in the sleeve, a foaming ring mounted between the sleeve and the distributor and an inlet valve mounted on a faucet end of the sleeve. The spout is mounted on an outlet of a faucet to allow water to flow through the sieve assembly and the foaming assembly and mix with air to foam to provide foaming water flowing out of the spout. Impurities in the water do not clog the foam assembly and water flow is regulated with the regulator selectively mounted in a water flow hole of the inlet valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Yu-Yueh Kao
  • Patent number: 7552879
    Abstract: A water spouting device 28 capable of being small sized and provided with a good appearance, and further, capable of realizing a comfortable shower spouting and a straight water spouting is provided with a group of numbers of water sprinkling holes 62 formed of small holes being disposed in a manner so as to be dispersed, and a water spouting outlet 74 for the straight water spouting disposed along a peripheral direction in a manner so as to surround an outer peripheral side of the water sprinkling holes 62, which is continuously extending in a peripheral direction. The shower spouting is performed by means of the water spouting from the water sprinkling holes 62, and the straight water spouting with a single line-like regulated water flux is performed by means of both the spouting water from the water sprinkling holes 62 and that from the water spouting outlet 74.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Inax Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagata, Masaki Nishimura, Atsushi Kushimoto
  • Publication number: 20090152381
    Abstract: Air bubbles in a liquid is atomized or pulverized into finer air bubbles by obliquely injecting one air bubble liquid containing air bubbles from a primary injection hole into a production cylinder having an upstream end closed and a downstream end opening to form a primary swirling liquid flow and simultaneously injecting another air bubble liquid containing air bubbles from a secondary injection hole into the production cylinder to form a secondary swirling liquid flow so as to bring the secondary swirling liquid flow into collision with the primary swirling liquid flow, consequently to atomize the air bubbles in the air bubble liquid to further fine air bubbles. The air-bubble atomizing device capable of atomizing or pulverizing the air bubbles in the liquid in such a manner is useful for separating lipids contained in waste liquid, performing surplus sludge treatment and other various industrial purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Takashige Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20090126099
    Abstract: A hydrotherapy jet is disclosed which has a jet body with a water inlet to allow water to flow into it. An eyeball with one or more outlets is mounted to the body to allow water to flow out of the body through the outlets. The flow of water through the outlets causes the eyeball to rotate. A retaining pin is mounted within the jet body to hold the eyeball to the body, with the eyeball rotating around said pin. A system for providing a hydrotherapy jet to a reservoir of water is also disclosed and includes a reservoir shell capable of holding water with a plurality of hydrotherapy jets according to the invention that are mounted around the reservoir shell. A water pump system circulates water from the reservoir to said jets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Michael D. Holtsnider
  • Publication number: 20090114743
    Abstract: A combination swivel spray aerator includes a stem that defines an inlet port for supplying water. The stem includes a neck and a swivel connector that is provided at one end of the stem. A spray head is coupled to the swivel connector in a swiveling manner. The spray head includes a housing and a swivel seal that seals between the housing and the swivel connector. A shroud is coupled to the stem for hiding at least the neck of the stem from view in order to provide a clean appearance. The swivel spray aerator further includes a diverter that switches between spray and aeration modes regardless which direction the spray head is rotated. A gimbal mechanism in the spray head allows the spray head to twist without requiring excessive swiveling friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt Judson Thomas, Josh Barber
  • Publication number: 20090090793
    Abstract: Using a simple structure, a new function is added to a liquid such as tap water by taking a gas into the liquid. The bubble-generating structure of the present invention includes (1) a water-discharging nozzle, which is provided inside a pipe, (2) a receiving member, which is situated a specified distance from the water-discharging nozzle and which includes a flow path for passing liquid emitted from the water-discharging nozzle, and (3) an air hole provided in such a way as to take air into a space between the water-discharging nozzle and the receiving member. By taking in air due to a suction force that is generated when the liquid passes along the flow path, bubbles are generated in the liquid. When such a structure for generating bubbles in the liquid is included in a showerhead, a person taking a shower using the showerhead can have a healthy and comfortable feeling while showering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Saiseiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toukichi Ichige
  • Patent number: 7494074
    Abstract: A sprayhead especially suited for coupling to an extension hose for use in a pull-out kitchen faucet, the sprayhead including a selector subassembly for choosing between both spray and aerate modes, and a volume control built in to the sprayhead. The selector subassembly is engaged to a detent finger-button mounted on the housing that selectively diverts water flowing through an aerated flow path to an alternate spray flow path, thereby allowing manual selection between spray mode and aerate mode. The volume control is a slide switch on the housing and coupled to a rotary valve assembly for allowing the user to adjust the flow volume when in spray mode without affecting water volume in the aerate mode. When in aerate mode water is expelled from the sprayhead through an aerator output, and when in spray mode water is expelled through a series of nozzles oriented radially around the aerator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Evan Benstead
  • Publication number: 20090020628
    Abstract: A faucet end piece connectable to a faucet nozzle is provided including a cylindrical body defining a cavity, a vertical pipe extending within the cavity, and an internal partition with water passages therethrough, extending across the cavity and connecting the vertical pipe to the body; a valve insertable in the cavity including a cap portion fitting over the vertical pipe and having at least one side orifice, a bore and a flange portion projecting transversally from the cap portion; a resilient element insertable inside the cavity between the body's internal partition and the valve flange portion. The valve is movable vertically under water pressure between an upper position wherein water flows through the cap portion side orifice, the bore and through the body vertical pipe, and a lower position where water flows around the cap portion through the internal partition water passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Christian Belisle
  • Publication number: 20090008478
    Abstract: A flow regulator, jet regulator or backflow preventer (11) having at least two components or parts (2, 11), a first one (2) of which can be inserted into a receiving opening (12) of the second part (12). The two parts (2, 11) can be interconnected using a locking arrangement (13, 17). One part is provided with at least one locking cam while the other part (11) is provided with a locking groove which is assigned to the locking cam and is used as a counterpart. One of the parts is provided with a slot (15) or similar recess located at a distance (a) from the outer or inner circumference of the part (2) in the area of the at least one locking groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 7472843
    Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle body and a separate nozzle body insert adapted for removable snap action engagement with the body. The nozzle body insert defines a liquid flow passage that includes an inlet section for communicating with a liquid inlet, a metering orifice for accelerating the liquid flow stream, and a downstream expansion section. The body insert further includes a venturi passage communicating with the expansion section for drawing ambient air into the liquid flow stream for stabilizing the liquid prior to discharge from the nozzle. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion chamber communicates with a transverse passage of the nozzle body, which in turn communicates with a laterally oriented discharge orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Steve Pearson, Marc Arenson, Eric Greenawalt
  • Publication number: 20080308165
    Abstract: A faucet including a spout body formed of metal and having an inlet end, an outlet end and a chamber extending between inlet and outlet ends. A tube formed of a non-metallic material is enclosed within the chamber and has receiving and dispensing ends. Tube defines a passage extending between receiving and dispensing ends. Receiving end is in fluid communication with water source to communicate water through passage. An inlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an inlet opening extending therethrough is molded about receiving end such that receiving end is sealingly received within inlet opening. An outlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an outlet opening extending therethrough is molded about dispensing end such that dispensing end is sealingly received within outlet opening. Inlet and outlet couplings are sealingly coupled to inlet and outlet ends of spout body, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Steven Kyle Meehan, Christopher Michael McGuire, Brian Matthew Jolliffe, Jeffrey Lee Moore, Darrell Scott Crowe, Derek Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20080272212
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet unit (1) is provided, including an outlet armature (2), with a flow regulator (4) in a region of the water outlet (3) thereof, wherein an aeration device is provided for aeration of the water flow. The outlet unit (1) provides that the aeration unit (5) is located in the outlet armature (2) and/or in at least one water line leading to the outlet armature (2) separately from the flow regulator (4). Through the spatial separation of the functions of flow shaping or water discharge and the aeration of the water flow, there are many possible embodiments for optionally providing the water outlet (3) of the sanitary outlet unit (1) with an extremely thin design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Oliver Denzler
  • Publication number: 20080251604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water tap outlet mouthpiece (1) comprising a switchable jet control insert (2) which consists of a cleaning jet channel (34) and at least one flow chamber (22, 23) provided with a plurality of water outlet nozzles (17), wherein one orifice (21) of the flow chamber (22, 23) is controllable by means of a valve (20) prestressed in a closed position by a spring in such a way that flowing-in water (35) enables to open the valve (20) by a predetermined water pressure. For this purpose, the valve (20) is provided with a piston (19) which is axially movable in a direction of flow and comprises a valve head (30), the cleaning jet channel (34) extends in the hollow piston (19) and the valve head (30) comprises at least one water inlet orifice (33) towards the cleaning jet channel (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Lars Schmid
  • Patent number: 7427039
    Abstract: A siphon type of drying gun includes an arc diverter disposed between an inner end surface in an accommodation space in a body of the gun and a flared hole. A rear cover having a flange is screwed into the body. An exhaustion gap is defined between the flange of the rear cover and the arc diverter. A front tapered hole in the rear cover corresponding to the arc diverter to guide the compressed air admitted into the exhaustion gap to flow by following the arc diverter and taking a turn into the flared hole so to produce siphon effects against ambient air to reduce noise level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Wuu-Cheau Jou
  • Publication number: 20080223957
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: HANSGROHE AG
    Inventor: Franz Schorn