Interleaved multi-function showerhead

• US 7,374,112 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fortune Brands Water Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Moen, Inc. (Canada) (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dempsey, James F., Parikh, Harshil, O'Brien, Timothy John, Bulan, Jamy
• Primary Examiner(s): GORMAN, DARREN W
• Application Number:
  US11/788,332
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 239/556, 239/436, 239/548, 239/558, 239/563, 239390-397, 239442-444, 239/447, 239/536, 239/557, 239/567, 239559-562, 239/17
• US Class Current: 239/556
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1627 with a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock B05B1/1681 takes precedence; gate valves or sliding valves in general F16K3/00; cocks in general F16K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor

Abstract

A multi-function showerhead has at least a first set of nozzles forming first curves and a second set of nozzles forming second curves. The showerhead discharges water through the first curves when a first water delivery function is selected and through the second curves when a second water delivery function is selected. The first curves and the second curves are interleaved so that a coherent and balanced spray pattern is provided resulting in a pleasant showering experience, regardless of the selected water delivery function.

Claims

1. A multi-function showerhead comprising a plurality of nozzles for discharging fluid according to one of a plurality of fluid delivery functions,

wherein said plurality of nozzles includes a first set of nozzles disposed on a face of said showerhead and a second set of nozzles disposed on said face of said showerhead,

wherein a first fluid delivery function corresponds to discharging said fluid through said first set of nozzles,

wherein a second fluid delivery function corresponds to discharging said fluid through said second set of nozzles,

wherein said first set of nozzles includes a plurality of first curves, each of said first curves formed from at least three adjacent nozzles in said first set of nozzles,

wherein said second set of nozzles includes a plurality of second curves, each of said second curves formed from at least three adjacent nozzles in said second set of nozzles, and

wherein said first curves and said second curves are interleaved.

2. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein said plurality of first curves are encompassed by a first zone on said face;

wherein said plurality of second curves are encompassed by a second zone on said face; and

wherein said first zone and said second zone substantially overlap.

3. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein at least one nozzle in each of said plurality of first curves is located between two adjacent second curves on said face, and

wherein at least one nozzle in each of said plurality of second curves is located between two adjacent first curves on said face.

4. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein at least half of the nozzles in each of said plurality of first curves is located between two adjacent second curves on said face, and

wherein at least half of the nozzles in each of said plurality of second curves is located between two adjacent first curves on said face.

5. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein all of the nozzles in each of said plurality of first curves is located between two adjacent second curves on said face.

6. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein all of the nozzles in each of said plurality of second curves is located between two adjacent first curves on said face.

7. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein said first set of nozzles includes at least 9 nozzles, and

wherein said second set of nozzles includes at least 9 nozzles.

8. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein a number of nozzles in said first set of nozzles is the same as a number of nozzles in said second set of nozzles.

9. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein all nozzles in said first set of nozzles have the same dimensions.

10. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein all nozzles in said second set of nozzles have the same dimensions.

11. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein each nozzle in said first set of nozzles has an opening with a diameter within 0.028 inches to 0.046 inches, inclusive.

12. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein each nozzle in said second set of nozzles has an opening with a diameter within 0.020 inches to 0.042 inches, inclusive.

13. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein said first set of nozzles has 15 to 45 nozzles, inclusive.

14. The multi-function showerhead of claim 13, wherein said first set of nozzles have openings with a total cross-sectional area within 0.010 in² to 0.045 in², inclusive.

15. The multi-function showerhead of claim 1, wherein said second set of nozzles has 20 to 90 nozzles, inclusive.

16. The multi-function showerhead of claim 15, wherein said second set of nozzles have openings with a total cross-sectional area within 0.010 in² to 0.080 in², inclusive.

17. A nozzle arrangement comprising a plurality of nozzles for discharging fluid according to one of a plurality of fluid delivery functions,

wherein said plurality of nozzles includes a first set of nozzles and a second set of nozzles,

wherein a first fluid delivery function corresponds to discharging said fluid through said first set of nozzles,

wherein a second fluid delivery function corresponds to discharging said fluid through said second set of nozzles,

wherein said first set of nozzles includes a plurality of first curves, each of said first curves formed from at least three adjacent nozzles in said first set of nozzles,

wherein said second set of nozzles includes a plurality of second curves, each of said second curves formed from at least three adjacent nozzles in said second set of nozzles, and

wherein said first curves and said second curves are interleaved.

18. The nozzle arrangement of claim 17, wherein said plurality of first curves are encompassed by a first zone;

wherein said plurality of second curves are encompassed by a second zone; and

wherein said first zone and said second zone substantially overlap.

19. The nozzle arrangement of claim 17, wherein at least one nozzle in each of said plurality of first curves is located between two adjacent second curves, and

wherein at least one nozzle in each of said plurality of second curves is located between two adjacent first curves.

20. The nozzle arrangement of claim 17, wherein at least half of the nozzles in each of said plurality of first curves is located between two adjacent second curves, and

wherein at least half of the nozzles in each of said plurality of second curves is located between two adjacent first curves.

21. The nozzle arrangement of claim 17, wherein all of the nozzles in each of said plurality of first curves is located between two adjacent second curves on said surface.

22. The nozzle arrangement of claim 17, wherein all of the nozzles in each of said plurality of second curves is located between two adjacent first curves on said surface.