TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to fluid dispensing devices, and more particularly to a fluid dispensing device having a valve arrangement to control and select different fluid flow characteristics.

BACKGROUND

Fluid dispensing devices are well known in the art and are generally used for cleaning and watering applications. A fluid dispensing device generally includes a fluid inlet to supply fluid to be distributed via a fluid outlet. Fluid dispensing devices are generally mounted at an end of a hose or a pipe, wherein the fluid inlet may be provided at the rear end of a handle portion extending from the fluid outlet. The fluid outlet of a fluid dispensing device may include two nozzle openings for dispensing the fluid with different fluid flow characteristics, and a manual actuatable means associated with the fluid dispensing device is used selecting the flow of the fluid through at least one of the nozzle openings. The actuatable means may a flow regulator, for example, a dial at the fluid outlet or a pressing means like a button to select different fluid flow characteristics. The actuatable means may act on a distributor valve, such as a see-saw valve, wherein, the actuable means may provide a combination of contact and/or frictional forces to hold the distributor valve in a selected position to close and seal one of the nozzle openings.

When the fluid dispensing device is under use, the contact and/or frictional forces of the actuable means may not be able to provide a proper sealing force between the distributor valve and the nozzle openings. Further, the contact and/or frictional forces of the actuable means for selecting different fluid flow characteristics may not be able to actuate the distributor valve either by turning the dial at the fluid outlet or by pressing buttons due to a high fluid pressure. In this situation, a user has to press or turn the actuable means multiple times and/or keep it pressed or hold for a prolonged time. Furthermore, the actuation by rotation of the dial may not accurately align the distributor valve with the nozzle openings. Thus, the rotation of the dial for selecting the flow characteristic (e.g. spray pattern) may not be convenient as the user has to be alert while turning and aligning the distributor valve with the nozzle openings. Furthermore, the actuation by the pressing means, like the push buttons, may also be cumbersome as the sufficient pressing and holding time of the button may be unknown to the user. Also, selection of flow characteristics by pressing the button may require high force to move the button due to the fluid pressure present inside the fluid dispensing device.

U.S. Patent 8, 490, 891 (the '891 patent) issued on July 23, 2013 to Chen, discloses a washing fluid supply structure of a water outlet device and a shower device which is arranged in the water supply pipeline of the water outlet device. The device has a container for washing liquid, and a fluid supply device disposed in a main body which is a water flow pipeline. The upper end of the water flow pipeline is connected with a water supply pipeline, and the lower end of the water flow pipeline is connected with the water outlet device. A connecting pipe connects the container to the fluid supply device. The washing liquid flows into the fluid supply device through a pathway of one-way valves. The fluid supply device is connected to the water outlet device through a washing fluid delivery pipe. The washing liquid in the fluid supply device flows into the water outlet device through the pathway. The shower head includes a diverter which includes a shower head button, a washing liquid button, two pressing rods and, a seesaw. On pushing of either of the shower head button or the washing liquid button, the respective pressing rods act on the seesaw. Further, the seesaw opens one of a water division hole and blocks the other water division hole. Thus, the selection of fluid flow from either of the two outlets is performed.

The '891 patent suggests a selection of fluid flow to dispense from different outlets by pressing either of the two buttons mounted on the shower head to dispense fluid from either of the two outlets. The pressing of the button requires great force as the pressure of the fluid inside the shower head is high which needs to be overcome by the pressing force of the button. Also, there may be frictional force acting while pressing one of the two buttons which also needs to be overcome by the pressing force of the button. Moreover, the frictional forces acting between the buttons and the shower head are not sufficient to maintain and keep the buttons in the pressed position and during the operation of the fluid pressure inside the shower head may overcome these frictional forces and accidentally move the buttons.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved actuable means for the selection of different flow characteristic.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the problems discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved according to a fluid dispensing device including a fluid inlet for supplying fluid to be delivered via a spray head and a fluid outlet having two nozzle openings. The fluid dispensing device further includes a distributor valve pivotally mounted at the fluid outlet and is configured to alternately close one of the nozzle openings, and a flow regulator operatively connected to the distributor valve to trigger a pivotal movement of distributor valve. In the fluid dispensing device a bi-stable resilient element coupled to the distributor valve which configured to stabilize the distributor valve towards one of the nozzle openings. The bi- stable resilient element have two mechanically stable positions of deflection and is configured to stabilize the distributor valve towards one of the nozzle openings while improving the sealing capability between the distributor valve and the nozzle openings. According to an aspect of the present invention, the fluid dispensing device having the bi-stable resilient element facilitates an accurate and swift selection of the of the distributor valve position and fluid flow characteristics in the fluid dispensing device upon actuation of the flow regulator. Moreover, during the working of the fluid dispensing device, the actuation force acting on the distributor valve remains independent of the inside fluid pressure.

The distributor valve is also provided with a sealing arrangement which is configured to seal the nozzle openings while in a stable position by the bi-stable resilient element. In an aspect of the present invention, the flow regulator is pivotally mounted on the fluid dispensing device such that the bi-stable resilient element is attached to the distributor valve adjacent to the pivotal mounting of the distributor valve at one end and the flow regulator is attached to another end of the bi-stable resilient element.

Moreover, in another aspect of the present invention, the flow regulator may be directly attached to or interact with the distributor valve and is configured to deflect the bi-stable resilient element by actuating the pivotal movement of the distributor valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a fluid dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 B illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid dispensing device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1 C illustrates another perspective view of the fluid dispensing device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1 D illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid dispensing device of FIG. 1 C;

FIG. 2A illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid dispensing device, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates another longitudinal sectional view of the fluid dispensing device of FIG. 2A; FIG. 3A illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid dispensing device, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B illustrates another longitudinal sectional view of the fluid dispensing device of FIG. 3A.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

FIGS. 1 A, 1 C and FIGS. 1 B, 1 D illustrate perspective views and longitudinal sectional views of a fluid dispensing device 100, respectively, in accordance of an embodiment of the present invention. The fluid dispensing device 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 A to 1 D is a hand-held fluid nozzle used for watering and cleaning in gardening, domestic and agricultural applications. The hand-held fluid nozzle may be used to distribute a fluid over an area, to increase fluid surface area, and to create impact force by fluid on a surface. In various other embodiments, the fluid dispensing device 100 may be any other type of fluid dispensing device with a valve arrangement to control and select different fluid flow characteristics, for example, a spray gun, a spray nozzle, a shower device, a pressure sprayer, or a spray lance.

As illustrated, the fluid dispensing device 100 includes a housing

102 with a fluid inlet 104, a fluid outlet 106 and a flow regulator 108. The housing 102 is generally made of plastics, such as thermoplastics, using injection moulding method and define a handle portion 110 extending form the fluid outlet 106. The fluid inlet 104 is generally located at a rear end of the handle portion 110. The fluid inlet 104 has a substantially cylindrical shape with threads to facilitate connection with a hose or a pipe by means of a connecting nipple or hose connector for supplying fluid to the fluid dispensing device 100. Further, the fluid inlet 104 may also allow quick coupling and de-coupling with the hoses of varying size and shape.

The housing 102 further defines at least two nozzle openings, for example, a first nozzle opening 112a and a second nozzle opening 112b (see FIGS. 1 B and 1 D) forming the fluid outlet 106. The nozzle openings 112a, 112b may be formed to deliver the fluid through a spray head 114 and are suitably designed in order to enable different types of fluid flow characteristics, such as spray patterns, fluid amount/droplet size, fluid impact force, or spray angle. The spray head 114 may be made of suitable plastic, metal or metal alloy by moulding or forming processes and includes an array of spray openings 116a and 116b in fluid communication with the first nozzle opening 112a and the second nozzle opening 112b, respectively. It will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the spray head 114 may be attached to housing 102 by interference fitting or a threaded arrangement.

The flow regulator 108 is provided to select between different types of fluid flow characteristics of the fluid dispensing device 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the flow regulator 108 is a manually actuatable U- shaped lever arm pivotally mounted on the housing 102. The flow regulator 108 provides a quick and ergonomic means for accomplishing a change in flow characteristics of the fluid dispensing device 100. The fluid supply device 100 further includes a valve arrangement 118 (see FIGS. 1 B and 1 C) to control and select between different fluid flow characteristics. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the valve arrangement 118 includes a distributor valve 120 pivotally mounted to the housing 102 at the fluid outlet 106 and configured to alternately close one of the nozzle openings 112a, 112b. The distributor valve 120 may include a sealing arrangement 122 to seal the nozzle openings 112a, 112b, while in a closed position of the nozzle openings 112a, 112b. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the distributor valve 120 is mounted to the housing 102 using a pivot pin 124. However, in various other embodiments the mounting of the distributor valve 120 may vary based on the design and application of the fluid supply device 100. The flow regulator 108 is operatively connected to the distributor valve 120 of the valve arrangement 118 to trigger a pivotal movement towards one of nozzle openings 112a, 112b.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid dispensing device 100 includes a bi-stable resilient element 126 coupled to the distributor valve 120 at one end and the flow regulator 108 is attached to other end of the bi-stable resilient element 126. The bi-stable resilient element 126 is deflection element with mechanically constrained ends and is oriented substantially normal to the pivot pin 124 which supports the distributor valve 120. The bi-stable resilient element 126 includes a first end 128 and a second end 130. The first end 128 of the bi-stable resilient element 126 is attached to the distributor valve 120 adjacent to the pivotal mounting of the distributor valve 120 and the second end 130 of the bi-stable resilient element 126 is supported on an interior portion of the housing 102. In an embodiment, the fluid dispensing device 100 may include a rotatable support 132 to support the second end 130 of the bi-stable resilient element 126 on the interior portion of the housing 102. Wherein, a rotation of the rotatable support 132 is configured to affect a counter-rotation of the distributor valve 120 via the bi-stable resilient element 126. In the embodiment of the fluid dispensing device 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1 D, the flow regulator 108 is configured to actuate rotation of the rotatable support 132 and cause deflection of the bi-stable resilient element 126 and actuate pivotal movement of the distributor valve 120. In an alternative embodiment, the flow regulator 108 may be directly attached to the distributor valve 120 at the pivot pin 124 such that the pivotal movement of the distributor valve 120 may cause the deflection of the bi-stable resilient element 126.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the bi-stable resilient element 126 may be made of a flexible material having a co-operative longitudinal span extending between the first and second ends 128, 130 to allow deflection between two stable positions, namely a first stable position (FP) as illustrated in FIG. 1 B, and a second stable position (SP) as illustrated in FIG. 1 D. The first and second stable positions (FP, SP) of the bi-stable resilient element 126 correspond to the positions of the flow regulator 108 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 A and 1C, respectively. In an aspect of the present invention, the bi-stable resilient element 126 is designed to have curved structure with minimal mechanical stress acting along the longitudinal span while in the first and second stable positions (FP, SP). Thus, while in one of the first and second stable positions (FP or SP), the longitudinal span of the bi-stable resilient element 126 is constrained to substantially prohibit deflecting into the other stable positions (FP or SP). Subsequently, the bi-stable resilient element 126 having two mechanically stable positions of deflection is configured to stabilize the distributor valve 120 towards one of the at least two nozzle openings 112a, 112b. In an embodiment, the bi-stable resilient element 126 may be embodied as a composite structure of thin flexible metallic strips or plates. Alternatively, any resilient means such spring member can be used as a bi-stable resilient element 126.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the fluid dispensing device 100 having the bi-stable resilient element 126 advantageously provide accurate and swift selection of the distributor valve 120 position by the flow regulator 108. Moreover, during the working of the fluid dispensing device 100, the actuation force acting on the distributor valve 120 remains independent of a fluid pressure inside the housing 102. In an exemplary embodiment, high fluid pressure acting on the distributor valve 120 can be overcome by bending moment acting on the bi-stable resilient element 126. Otherwise, when a low fluid pressure exists inside the housing 102 the distributor valve 120 is stabilized by the bi-stable resilient element 126 and remains at a preselected position. The bi-stable resilient element 126 also improves the sealing capability between the distributor valve 120 and the nozzle openings 112a, 112b. The bi-stable resilient element 126 provides a dependable and low cost solution to achieve mechanically stable position of the distributor valve 120 without a need of more complex and bulky mechanical or electro-mechanical mechanisms to achieve accurate and swift selection of fluid flow characteristics in the fluid dispensing device 100. Thus, overall reducing the size and manufacturing cost of the fluid dispensing device 100. In another aspect of the present invention, the bistable resilient element 126 can be retrofittable on any conventional fluid dispensing device. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate longitudinal sectional views of a fluid dispensing device 200, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fluid dispensing device 200 includes a housing 202 with a fluid inlet 204, a fluid outlet 206 and a pair of flow regulators 208a and 208b. The housing 202 define a handle portion 210 which is extending form fluid outlet 206 and the fluid inlet 204 is located at a rear end of the handle portion 210. The housing 202 further defines a first nozzle opening 212a and a second nozzle opening 212b forming the fluid outlet 206. The nozzle openings 212a, 212b may be formed to deliver the fluid through a spray head 214 having an array of spray openings 216a and 216b in fluid communication with the first nozzle opening 212a and the second nozzle opening 212b, respectively. The nozzle openings 212a, 212b and the spray openings 216a, 216b are suitably designed in order to enable different types of fluid flow characteristics.

According to an embodiment, the flow regulators 208a and 208b are manually actuatable press buttons sealingly disposed on the housing 202. The flow regulators 208a, 208b provide a quick and ergonomic means for accomplishing a change in flow characteristics of the fluid dispensing device 200. A valve arrangement 218 associated with the fluid dispensing device 200 includes a distributor valve 220 which is pivotally mounted, using a pivot pin 224, to the housing 202 at the fluid outlet 206 and configured to close one of the nozzle openings 212a, 212b. The distributor valve 220 may also include a sealing arrangement 222 to seal the nozzle openings 212a, 212b. The flow regulators 208a, 208b are operatively connected to the distributor valve 220 to trigger a pivotal movement towards one of nozzle openings 212a, 212b.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid dispensing device 200 includes a bi-stable resilient element 226 coupled to the distributor valve 220. The bi-stable resilient element 226 is deflection element with mechanically constrained ends and is oriented substantially normal to the pivot pin 224 supporting the distributor valve 220. The bi-stable resilient element 226 includes a first end 228 and a second end 230. The first end 228 of the bi-stable resilient element 226 is attached to the distributor valve 220 adjacent to the pivotal mounting of the distributor valve 220 and the second end 230 of the bi-stable resilient element 226 is supported on an interior portion of the housing 202. In an embodiment, the fluid dispensing device 200 may include a rotatable support 232 to support the second end 230 of the bi-stable resilient element 226 on the interior portion of the housing 202. In the embodiment of the fluid dispensing device 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the flow regulators 208a and 208b are configured to act on the bistable resilient element 226 and cause deflection to actuate pivotal movement of the distributor valve 220. As illustrated in the FIG. 2A, the when the flow regulator 208a is pressed it pushes the bi-stable resilient element 226 at a substantially middle portion, and thus deflect the bistable resilient element 226 into a first stable position (FP) and also pivotally move the distributor valve 220. As illustrated in the FIG. 2B, the when the flow regulator 208b is pressed it pushes the bi-stable resilient element 226 at a substantially middle portion from other side, and thus deflect the bi-stable resilient element 226 into a second stable position (SP) and also pivotally move the distributor valve 220. In an embodiment of the present invention, the bi-stable resilient element 226 may allow deflection between two stable positions, namely the first stable position (FP) as illustrated in FIG. 2A, and the second stable position (SP) as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The first and second stable positions (FP, SP) of the bi-stable resilient element 226 are corresponding to the pressed positions of the flow regulators 208a and 208b, respectively. As describes above, the bi-stable resilient element 226 having two mechanically stable positions of deflection is configured to stabilize the distributor valve 220 towards one of the at least two nozzle openings 212a, 212b.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate longitudinal sectional views of a fluid dispensing device 300, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The fluid dispensing device 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a shower device used for use in washroom and kitchen applications. The fluid dispensing device 300 includes a housing 302 with a fluid inlet 304, a fluid outlet 306 and a pair of flow regulators 308a and 308b. The housing 302 define a handle portion 310 extending form the fluid outlet 306 and the fluid inlet 304 is located at a rear end of the handle portion 310. The housing 302 further defines a first nozzle opening 312a and a second nozzle opening 312b forming the fluid outlet 306. The nozzle openings 312a, 312b may be formed to deliver the same fluid or different fluids through a spray head 314 and/or are suitably designed in order to enable different types of fluid flow characteristics. The spray head 314 includes an array of spray openings 316a and 316b in fluid communication with the first nozzle opening 312a and the second nozzle opening 312b, respectively.

According to an embodiment, the flow regulators 308a and 308b are manually actuatable press buttons sealingly disposed on the housing 302. The flow regulators 308a, 308b provide a quick and ergonomic means for accomplishing a change in flow characteristics of the fluid dispensing device 300. A valve arrangement 318 associated with the fluid dispensing device 300 includes a distributor valve 320 which is pivotally mounted, using a pivot pin 324, to the housing 302 at the fluid outlet 306 and configured to open one of the nozzle openings 312a, 312b. The distributor valve 320 may also include a sealing arrangement 322 to seal the nozzle openings 312a, 312b. The flow regulators 308a, 308b are directly interacting with the distributor valve 320 to trigger a pivotal movement towards one of nozzle openings 312a, 312b.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid dispensing device 300 includes a bi-stable resilient element 326 coupled to the distributor valve 320. The bi-stable resilient element 326 is deflection element with mechanically constrained ends and is oriented substantially normal to the pivot pin 324 supporting the distributor valve 320. The bi-stable resilient element 326 includes a first end 328 and a second end 330. The first end 328 of the bi-stable resilient element 326 is attached to the distributor valve 320 adjacent to the pivotal mounting of the distributor valve 320 and the second end 330 of the bi-stable resilient element 326 is supported on an interior portion of the housing 302. In an embodiment, the fluid dispensing device 300 may include a rotatable support 332 to support the second end 330 of the bi-stable resilient element 326 on the interior portion of the housing 302. In the embodiment of the fluid dispensing device 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the flow regulators 308a and 308b are configured to actuate the pivotal movement to the distributor valve 320 and also deflect the bistable resilient element 326 while actuating the pivotal movement to the distributor valve 320. As illustrated in the FIG. 3A, the when the flow regulator 308a is pressed it rotates the distributor valve 320 in anticlockwise direction about the pivot pin 324, and thus deflect the bistable resilient element 326 into a first stable position (FP). As illustrated in the FIG. 3B, the when the flow regulator 308b is pressed it rotates the distributor valve 320 in clockwise direction about the pivot pin 324, and thus deflect the bi-stable resilient element 326 into a second stable position (SP). The bi-stable resilient element 326 may allow deflection between two stable positions, namely the first stable position (FP) as illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the second stable position (SP) as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The first and second stable positions (FP, SP) of the bi-stable resilient element 326 are corresponding to the pressed positions of the flow regulators 308a and 308b, respectively. As describes above, the bistable resilient element 326 having two mechanically stable positions of deflection is configured to stabilize the distributor valve 320 towards one of the at least two nozzle openings 312a, 312b.

The fluid dispensing devices 100, 200 and 300, according to illustrated embodiments of the present invention, are configured to provide an accurate and swift selection of fluid flow characteristics in the fluid dispensing device 100, 200 and 300.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

PART LIST

100 fluid dispensing device

102 housing

104 fluid inlet

106 fluid outlet

108 flow regulator

1 1 0 handle portion

1 1 2a, 122b nozzle openings

1 14 spray head

1 1 6a, 1 1 6b spray openings

1 1 8 valve arrangement

120 distributor valve

122 sealing arrangement

124 pivot pin

126 bi-stable resilient element

128 first end of bi-stable resilient element

130 second end of bi-stable resilient element

132 rotatable support

200 fluid dispensing device

202 housing

204 fluid inlet

206 fluid outlet

208a, 208b flow regulator

21 0 handle portion

21 2a, 222b nozzle openings

214 spray head

21 6a, 21 6b spray openings

21 8 valve arrangement

220 distributor valve

222 sealing arrangement

224 pivot pin

226 bi-stable resilient element 228 first end of bi-stable resilient element

230 second end of bi-stable resilient element

232 rotatable support

300 fluid dispensing device

302 housing

304 fluid inlet

306 fluid outlet

308a, 308b flow regulator

31 0 handle portion

31 2a, 322b nozzle openings

314 spray head

31 6a, 31 6b spray openings

31 8 valve arrangement

320 distributor valve

322 sealing arrangement

324 pivot pin

326 bi-stable resilient element

328 first end of bi-stable resilient element

330 second end of bi-stable resilient element 332 rotatable support

FP first stable position

SP second stable position