Spray nozzle

A convertible spray applicator for use with a container having an opening for communication of a substance therein to the applicator, the applicator comprising:

• a housing defining a mixing chamber therein;
• a first end for receiving a first fluid flow into the applicator through an elongate passageway having a substantially columnar first surface;
• first fluid communication means for communicating a first metered portion of the first fluid flow into said opening to mixedly combine with the substance as a slurry;
• second fluid communication means for communicating the remaining portion of said first fluid flow into the mixing chamber as a drawing fluid flow in a substantially columnar path, said second fluid communication means being defined at least in part by said first surface;
• third fluid communication means for communicating selectively metered portions of the slurry to said mixing chamber for combination with the drawing fluid flow forming a composite solution;
• means positioned substantially within the columnar drawing fluid flow path for deflecting said composite solution as a first deflected fluid flow;
• and,
• outlet means having an exit orifice for discharging the composite solution.

In a spray nozzle apparatus adapted to use with a fluid supply source, a reservoir having an opening, a housing defining a mixing chamber therein, coupling means for coupling the reservoir to the housing at the opening, input communicating means for communicating a supply of a first fluid from the fluid supply source into the housing through an elongate passageway having a substantially columnar first surface, fill passage means for dividing the first fluid into first and second portions and communicating the first portion from the input communicating means into the reservoir creating a slurry therein, and slurry communicating means in the housing for communicating the slurry into the mixing chamber, the improvement comprising:

• direct passage means for communicating the second portion of said first fluid into the mixing chamber from the input communicating means as a substantially columnar drawing fluid flow, the drawing fluid flow defining a columnar path with a longitudinal axis and having a cross sectional area transverse the longitudinal axis substantially defined by the size of the direct passage means, said direct passage means being defined at least in part by said first surface;
• outlet channel deflector means in at least a portion of said cross sectional area defined by the columnar path for deflecting the drawing fluid flow as a deflected fluid flow;
• and,
• outlet channel passage means for communicating the deflected fluid flow and the slurry from the mixing chamber.

A spray nozzle apparatus adapted for use with a fluid supply source and a reservoir having an opening, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing defining a mixing chamber therein;
• means for coupling the reservoir to the housing at the opening;
• input communicating means for communicating a supply of a first fluid from the fluid supply source into the housing through an elongate passageway having a substantially columnar first surface;
• first passage means for communicating a first portion of the first fluid from the input communicating means into the reservoir as a mixing fluid flow;
• second passage means for communicating the remaining portion of the first fluid from the input communicating means into the mixing chamber as a drawing fluid flow having a substantially columnar path, said second passage means being defined at least in part by said first surface;
• slurry passage means for selectively restricting egress of the mixing fluid flow from the reservoir and into the mixing chamber as a mixed slurry;
• fluid reflecting means for reflecting the drawing fluid flow and the mixed slurry as a first reflected fluid flow, the reflecting means being positioned within at least a portion of said columnar path;
• outlet passage means having a cross section smaller than that of the slurry passage means and larger than that of the second passage means for communicating the first reflected fluid flow from the housing;
• and,
• outlet reflecting means, offset from said columnar path, for guiding the first reflected fluid flow into a spray pattern downstream of said outlet passage means.