GB2152847A - Sprayer nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A sprayer nozzle comprises a jet (8) for producing a spray of marker fluid and a release chamber (9) expanding outwardly to a mouth in a downstream direction from the jet (8), the shape of the mouth defining the shape of spray from the nozzle. The release chamber may have the shape of a circular or eliptical cone or of a square, rectangular or other shaped pyramid, the jet being located at the apex of the cone or pyramid. The release chamber may also be fan-shaped. The invention finds particular application to line marking apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sprayer nozzle This invention relates to a nozzle for a sprayer, particularly but not exclusively to a nozzle for a sprayer of paint or other markerfluid wherein an accurately dimensioned spray offluid is required, for exampleformarking lines.

Previously known line markers have employed screens or masks to provide sharp edges to lines sprayed onto surfaces. These screens or masks tend to accumulate markerfluid wasting the latter and causing drips.

According to the present invention a sprayer nozzle comprises a jet for producing a spray of markerfluid and a release chamber expanding outwardly to a mouth in a downstream direction from the jet, the shape of the mouth defining the shape of spray from the nozzle.

The release chamber may have the shape of a circularoreliptical cone orofa square, rectangular or othershaped pyramid, the jet being located at the apex of the cone or pyramid. The release chamber may also be fan-shaped.

A nozzle in accordance with this invention finds particular application in line marker apparatus. Thus a square or rectangular shaped mouth may be used for marking straight lines upon surfaces. Circular or eliptical mouths may be used for producing curved lines, for example for writing script. Use of the nozzle produces better results on muddy orturfed surfaces than is possible using conventional apparatus. The jet may comprise one or more small apertures. Alterna tively an adjustable annular orifice may be provided.

Use of a single aperture is preferred.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention may further comprise one or more ducts to convey marker fluid to the jet. A single cylindrical duct is preferred.

The duct may be provided with one or more tapering portions adapated to maintain the pressure of marker fluid as it passes along the duct.

The nozzle may be provided with means of attachmentto a supply markerfluid such as an aerosol dispenser.

The invention is further described by means of example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the nozzle; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional viewofan alternative embodimentofthe invention.

The nozzle shown in Figure 1 comprises a series of interconnected tubular portions, a first of which 1 is adapted to engage the outlet of an aerosol dispenser (notshown). The second tubular portion 2 has a smaller diameter to maintain the pressure of marker fluid to the jet 3. The jet 3 comprises a conical portion having a fine aperture 4 communicating with a release chamber 5. The latter has the shape of a rectangular pyramid, the aperture 4 being located atthe apex. The rectangular mouth of the release chamber serves to define the shape of the emerging spray of marker fluid. In alternative embodiments the release chamber may havethe shape of a square or other pyramid or eliptical orcircularcone.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section ofan alternative embodiment moulded as a single component. An outlet from an aerosol container may be secured into the aperture 6. The duct 7 for conveying the marker fluid reduces in diameter in a downstream direction.

The aperture 8 communicates with the release portion 9which may be conical or pyramidal as disclosed above.

1. Asprayernozzlecomprising ajetforproducing a spray of marker fluid and a release chamber expanding outwardly to a mouth in a downstream direction from the jet, the shape of the mouth defining the shape of spray from the nozzle.

2. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release chamber has the shape of a circular or eliptical cone or of a square, rectangular or other shaped pyramid, the jet being located at the apex of the cone or pyramid.

3. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release chamber is fan shaped.

4. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the jet comprises a single aperture.

5. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the aperture comprises an adjustable annular orifice.

6. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, including one or more ducts to convey marker fluidtothejet.

7. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said one or more ducts is provided with one or more tapering portions to maintain the pressure of marker fluid as it passes along the duct.

8. A sprayer nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A line marker including a sprayer nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim.

The drawing(s) originallyfiled was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a laterfiledformal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sprayer nozzle This invention relates to a nozzle for a sprayer, particularly but not exclusively to a nozzle for a sprayer of paint or other markerfluid wherein an accurately dimensioned spray offluid is required, for exampleformarking lines. Previously known line markers have employed screens or masks to provide sharp edges to lines sprayed onto surfaces. These screens or masks tend to accumulate markerfluid wasting the latter and causing drips. According to the present invention a sprayer nozzle comprises a jet for producing a spray of markerfluid and a release chamber expanding outwardly to a mouth in a downstream direction from the jet, the shape of the mouth defining the shape of spray from the nozzle. The release chamber may have the shape of a circularoreliptical cone orofa square, rectangular or othershaped pyramid, the jet being located at the apex of the cone or pyramid. The release chamber may also be fan-shaped. A nozzle in accordance with this invention finds particular application in line marker apparatus. Thus a square or rectangular shaped mouth may be used for marking straight lines upon surfaces. Circular or eliptical mouths may be used for producing curved lines, for example for writing script. Use of the nozzle produces better results on muddy orturfed surfaces than is possible using conventional apparatus. The jet may comprise one or more small apertures. Alterna tively an adjustable annular orifice may be provided. Use of a single aperture is preferred. Apparatus in accordance with the invention may further comprise one or more ducts to convey marker fluid to the jet. A single cylindrical duct is preferred. The duct may be provided with one or more tapering portions adapated to maintain the pressure of marker fluid as it passes along the duct. The nozzle may be provided with means of attachmentto a supply markerfluid such as an aerosol dispenser. The invention is further described by means of example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the nozzle; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional viewofan alternative embodimentofthe invention. The nozzle shown in Figure 1 comprises a series of interconnected tubular portions, a first of which 1 is adapted to engage the outlet of an aerosol dispenser (notshown). The second tubular portion 2 has a smaller diameter to maintain the pressure of marker fluid to the jet 3. The jet 3 comprises a conical portion having a fine aperture 4 communicating with a release chamber 5. The latter has the shape of a rectangular pyramid, the aperture 4 being located atthe apex. The rectangular mouth of the release chamber serves to define the shape of the emerging spray of marker fluid. In alternative embodiments the release chamber may havethe shape of a square or other pyramid or eliptical orcircularcone. Figure 2 shows a cross-section ofan alternative embodiment moulded as a single component. An outlet from an aerosol container may be secured into the aperture 6. The duct 7 for conveying the marker fluid reduces in diameter in a downstream direction. The aperture 8 communicates with the release portion 9which may be conical or pyramidal as disclosed above. CLAIMS

1. Asprayernozzlecomprising ajetforproducing a spray of marker fluid and a release chamber expanding outwardly to a mouth in a downstream direction from the jet, the shape of the mouth defining the shape of spray from the nozzle.

2. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release chamber has the shape of a circular or eliptical cone or of a square, rectangular or other shaped pyramid, the jet being located at the apex of the cone or pyramid.

3. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the release chamber is fan shaped.

4. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the jet comprises a single aperture.

5. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the aperture comprises an adjustable annular orifice.

6. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, including one or more ducts to convey marker fluidtothejet.

7. A sprayer nozzle as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said one or more ducts is provided with one or more tapering portions to maintain the pressure of marker fluid as it passes along the duct.

8. A sprayer nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A line marker including a sprayer nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim.

The drawing(s) originallyfiled was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a laterfiledformal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.