Self-cleaning misting nozzle

A shower steam system comprising:

• a steam generator;
• and
• a spray nozzle coupled to the steam generator, the spray nozzle configured to receive a flow of water from a water source and to provide an atomized spray of water to the steam generator, the spray nozzle comprising:
• a housing defining an inlet configured to receive the flow of water, an outlet configured to provide the atomized spray of water, a longitudinal bore extending between the inlet and the outlet, a distal end, and a proximal end opposite the distal end, the housing including an atomizing member positioned adjacent the outlet;
• an elongated member coupled to the housing in the longitudinal bore, the elongated member defining a pin at a distal end thereof;
• a body slidably coupled to the housing in the longitudinal bore, the body including an opening extending therethrough and defining a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end;
• and
• a biasing member configured to bias the body against the elongated member to a closed position by a biasing force such that the elongated member extends through the opening;
• wherein the body is configured to move axially away from the elongated member toward the atomizing member in response to a pressure of the flow of water being above a threshold value to overcome the biasing force and allow the flow of water to pass through the opening, wherein in the closed position, the body engages a step formed adjacent the pin of the elongated member at a distal end of the elongated member to limit axial movement of the body relative to the housing, wherein the elongated member includes a first portion comprising a plurality of channels extending through the first portion of the elongated member and a second portion extending from the first portion to the distal end of the elongated member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to direct the flow of water from the inlet to the body, wherein no portion of the body contacts the first portion when the body is in the closed position, wherein the pin extends at least partially outside of the longitudinal bore defined by the housing, and wherein, in the closed position, the distal end of the body is flush with the distal end of the housing such that the pin extends entirely though a complementary portion of the opening.

A spray nozzle for a steam generator of a shower steam system, the spray nozzle comprising:

• a housing defining an inlet configured to receive a flow of water from a water source, an outlet configured to provide an atomized spray of water to the steam generator, a longitudinal bore extending between the inlet and the outlet, a distal end, and a proximal end opposite the distal end, the housing including an atomizing member positioned adjacent the outlet;
• an elongated member coupled to the housing in the longitudinal bore, the elongated member defining a pin at a distal end thereof;
• a body slidably coupled to the housing in the longitudinal bore, the body including an opening extending therethrough and defining a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end;
• and
• a biasing member configured to bias the body against the elongated member by a biasing force such that the elongated member extends through the opening;
• wherein the body is configured to move axially away from the elongated member toward the atomizing member in response to a pressure of the flow of water being above a threshold value to overcome the biasing force and allow the flow of water to pass through the opening, wherein the body engages a step formed adjacent the pin of the elongated member at a distal end of the elongated member to limit axial movement of the body relative to the housing, wherein the elongated member includes a first portion comprising a plurality of channels extending through the first portion of the elongated member and a second portion extending from the first portion to the distal end of the elongated member, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to direct the flow of water from the inlet to the body, wherein no portion of the body contacts the first portion when the biasing member biases the body against the elongated member, wherein the pin extends at least partially outside of the longitudinal bore defined by the housing, and wherein, in the closed position, the distal end of the body is flush with the distal end of the housing such that the pin extends entirely though a complementary portion of the opening.