Patent · US Expired

Showerhead

US4657185A · kind A · utility

129Cited by
8References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 1, 1985
Grant dateApr 14, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 1, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB05B1/18
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An improved showerhead comprising a nozzle and a ring valve. The interior of the nozzle defines a secondary fluid passageway. The exterior of the nozzle includes a plurality of grooves on the front portion of the nozzle. The nozzle also includes at least one opening through its sidewall. The ring valve includes a recessed cavity and fits over the nozzle in sliding engagement with the nozzle between a first and second position. When the ring valve is in its first position, the recessed cavity communicates with both the opening and the channel passageways to form a primary fluid passageway, permitting water to flow through both the primary and the secondary fluid passageways. When the ring valve is in its second position, the inner surface of the ring valve blocks the opening through the nozzle sidewall such that fluid flows through only the secondary fluid passageways rather than the primary channel passageways. In preferred form, the front end of the nozzle wall flares outward in divergent frustoconical fashion such that fluid flow through the nozzle creates a pressure drop which atomizes fluid flowing the secondary passageway into a steam-like mist.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.