Foam-dispensing nozzle for pressurized fluid delivery apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a foam-dispensing nozzle adapted to receive a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus. The foam-dispensing nozzle includes a one-piece molded body, having a quick-disconnect portion, a discharge portion extending from the quick-disconnect portion, a first passageway through the quick-disconnect portion, and a second passageway through the discharge portion in communication with the first passageway. The foam-dispensing nozzle also includes at least one aperture in the discharge portion communicating the second passageway with the exterior of the discharge portion, a diffuser positioned in the second passageway, and a retainer at least partially positioned within the second passageway adjacent the diffuser. Movement of the pressurized fluid through the first passageway and the second passageway draws air through the at least one aperture in the tubular portion to aerate the pressurized fluid.

1 . A foam-dispensing nozzle adapted to receive a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus, the foam-dispensing nozzle comprising: 
 a one-piece molded body, including 
 a quick-disconnect portion;  
 a discharge portion extending from the quick-disconnect portion;  
 a first passageway through the quick-disconnect portion;  
 a second passageway through the discharge portion in communication with the first passageway;  
   at least one aperture in the discharge portion communicating the second passageway with the exterior of the discharge portion;    a diffuser positioned in the second passageway; and    a retainer at least partially positioned within the second passageway adjacent the diffuser, wherein movement of the pressurized fluid through the first passageway and the second passageway draws air through the at least one aperture in the tubular portion to aerate the pressurized fluid.    
   
   
       2 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the quick-disconnect portion includes a male quick-disconnect fitting.  
   
   
       3 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the first passageway includes an inlet and an outlet, and wherein at least a portion of the first passageway between the inlet and the outlet is tapered to increase the speed of the pressurized fluid moving through the first passageway.  
   
   
       4 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the second passageway includes an inlet and an outlet, and wherein at least a portion of the second passageway between the inlet and the outlet is flared.  
   
   
       5 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser includes a screen.  
   
   
       6 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes 
 an interior wall at least partially defining the second passageway;    a step in the interior wall against which the diffuser is positioned;    one of an outwardly-extending tab and a slot;    wherein the retainer includes the other of the outwardly-extending tab and the slot, and wherein the tab is engaged with the slot to secure the diffuser and the retainer in the body.    
   
   
       7 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is tubular, and wherein the pressurized fluid flows through the retainer.  
   
   
       8 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes 
 an interior wall at least partially defining the second passageway;    one of a key and a keyway formed on the interior wall;    wherein the retainer includes the other of the key and the keyway, and wherein the key is engaged with the keyway to orient the retainer relative to the body.    
   
   
       9 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 1 , further comprising an overmold covering at least a portion of the body.  
   
   
       10 . A foam-dispensing nozzle adapted to receive a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus, the foam-dispensing nozzle comprising: 
 a body including 
 an inlet;  
 an outlet;  
 a passageway fluidly communicating the inlet and the outlet;  
 an interior wall at least partially defining the passageway;  
 a step in the interior wall;  
 one of an outwardly-extending tab and a slot;  
   at least one aperture in the body communicating the passageway with the exterior of the body;    a diffuser positioned in the passageway adjacent the step; and    a tubular retainer at least partially positioned in the passageway adjacent the diffuser, the retainer including the other of the outwardly-extending tab and the slot, wherein the tab is engaged with the slot to secure the diffuser and the retainer in the body.    
   
   
       11 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 10 , wherein the body is a one-piece molded body including 
 a quick-disconnect portion; and    a discharge portion extending from the quick-disconnect portion.    
   
   
       12 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 11 , wherein the passageway includes 
 a first portion through the quick-disconnect portion; and    a second portion through the discharge portion in communication with the first portion.    
   
   
       13 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 12 , wherein the first portion is at least partially tapered to increase the speed of the pressurized fluid moving through the first portion of the passageway.  
   
   
       14 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 12 , wherein the second portion is at least partially flared from the first portion.  
   
   
       15 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 10 , wherein the diffuser includes a screen.  
   
   
       16 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 10 , wherein the body includes one of a key and a keyway formed on the interior wall, wherein the retainer includes the other of the key and the keyway, and wherein the key is engaged with the keyway to orient the retainer relative to the body.  
   
   
       17 . The foam-dispensing nozzle of  claim 10 , further comprising an overmold covering at least a portion of the body.