IP Library Granted Patent US 7,374,112
Granted Patent B1
US 7,374,112 · App. 11/788,332 · Granted May 20, 2008

Interleaved multi-function showerhead

Assignee: Moen Incorporated
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,374,112
App. No.
11/788,332
Granted
May 20, 2008
Kind
B1
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 (43)

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 in 2 to 0.045 in 2 , 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 in 2 to 0.080 in 2 , 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.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 22, 2023
From: FB GLOBAL PLUMBING GROUP LLC
To: FORTUNE BRANDS WATER INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 063263/0960 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2020
From: MOEN INCORPORATED
To: FB GLOBAL PLUMBING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 051928/0720 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2007
From: BULAN, JAMY; DEMPSEY, JAMES F.; O'BRIEN, TIMOTHY JOHN; PARIKH, HARSHIL
To: MOEN INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 019472/0878 →