Disclosed is a method and device to control a spray pattern produced from a spraying device consisting of a plurality of individual jets that form the resulting spray pattern. The trajectory of each individual jet is controlled by orienting the nozzle-like feature that produces each individual jet,
Disclosed is a method and device to control a spray pattern produced from a spraying device consisting of a plurality of individual jets that form the resulting spray pattern. The trajectory of each individual jet is controlled by orienting the nozzle-like feature that produces each individual jet, thereby producing a variety of spray patterns. This is accomplished utilizing the flexible properties of elastomeric or rubber-like materials. In addition to allowing for deformation or movement to remove possible obstructions to the fluid flow, this flexibility property also permits for specific, controlled movements, whereby it is possible to control the trajectory of the fluid issuing from the device. These rubber-like materials can include specific features that allow the material to be deformed in a controlled fashion so as to predictably control the trajectory of the streams issuing from the individual nozzles.
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1. A fluid spray control device that produces a variety of fluid spray patterns comprising: a housing that forms an enclosed flow path interface between a pressurized fluid source and a flexible member comprising a disk containing a plurality of flexible flow channels aligned along a continuous, non
1. A fluid spray control device that produces a variety of fluid spray patterns comprising: a housing that forms an enclosed flow path interface between a pressurized fluid source and a flexible member comprising a disk containing a plurality of flexible flow channels aligned along a continuous, non-closing path, said flexible flow channels each having an inlet, a protruded cylindrical axis with a length which is greater than diameter, and an outlet thereby forming individual nozzles that extend beyond the distal surface of said disc;a manifold within said housing that supplies said fluid into said nozzles;a rigid support plate that supports and retains said flexible member with said manifold;a variable position deflecting member oriented to, and aligned with, said continuous non-closing path of said flexible flow channels that contacts some or all of said flexible flow channels to deflect the direction of said contacted flow channels as a unit, from an inward radial position to an outward radial position relative to a centerline of said device, thereby allowing a user to alter the angle of trajectory of said fluid in a continuous manner from a converging to diverging spray by rotating said deflecting member while said fluid is issuing from said nozzles, wherein said deflecting member contacts a base surface of said flexible flow channels;an alignment member that contacts said flexible flow channels and allows limited and specific deflection angles and position of said flexible flow channels;a lower support member that retains said alignment member, said deflecting member, said rigid support plate and said manifold with said housing. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible member is an elastomeric compound. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible flow channels are approximately cylindrical shaped. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible flow channels are approximately conical shaped. 5. A fluid spray control device that produces a variety of fluid spray patterns comprising: a housing that forms an enclosed flow path interface between a pressurized fluid source and a flexible member comprising a disk containing a plurality of flexible flow channels aligned along a continuous, non-closing path, said flexible flow channels each having an inlet, a protruded cylindrical axis with a length which is greater than diameter, and an outlet thereby forming individual nozzles that extend beyond the distal surface of said disc;a manifold within said housing that supplies said fluid into said nozzles;a rigid support plate that supports and retains said flexible member with said manifold;a variable position deflecting member oriented to, and aligned with, said continuous non-closing path of said flexible flow channels that contacts some or all of said flexible flow channels to deflect the direction of said contacted flow channels as a unit, from an inward radial position to an outward radial position relative to a centerline of said device, thereby allowing a user to alter the angle of trajectory of said fluid in a continuous manner from a converging to diverging spray by rotating said deflecting member while said fluid is issuing from said nozzles;an alignment member that contacts said flexible flow channels and allows limited and specific deflection angles and position of said flexible flow channels;a lower support member that retains said alignment member, said deflecting member, said rigid support plate and said manifold with said housing; and,a spiral slot that bounds a lateral portion of at least a portion of said flexible flow channels of said plurality of flexible flow channels, whereby a rotation of said deflecting member changes the orientation of multiple said flow channels resulting in a change in pattern of said angle of trajectory of said fluid exiting said nozzles. 6. A method of producing a variety of fluid spray patterns that issue from a plurality of flexible nozzles comprising: introducing a fluid under pressure to a manifold that distributes said fluid to a flexible member;supporting and retaining said flexible member to said manifold with a rigid support plate;flowing said fluid through said plurality of flexible flow channels in said flexible member;producing a first fluid spray pattern of said fluid exiting said nozzles with said flexible flow channels aligned along a continuous, non-closing path, each having an inlet, a protruded cylindrical axis with a length which is greater than diameter, and an outlet thereby forming individual nozzles;contacting some or all of said flexible flow channels with a variable position deflecting member oriented to, and aligned with, said continuous non-closing path of said flexible flow channels;deflecting some or all of said flow channels from an inward radial position to an outward radial position relative to a centerline of said device, in a continuous manner from a converging to diverging spray by rotating said deflecting member while said fluid is issuing from said plurality of flexible nozzles;deflecting some or all of said flexible flow channels with said deflecting member on a base surface of said flexible flow channel. 7. A method of producing a variety of fluid spray patterns that issue from a plurality of flexible nozzles comprising: introducing a fluid under pressure to a manifold that distributes said fluid to a flexible member;supporting and retaining said flexible member to said manifold with a rigid support plate;flowing said fluid through said plurality of flexible flow channels in said flexible member;producing a first fluid spray pattern of said fluid exiting said nozzles with said flexible flow channels aligned along a continuous, non-closing path, each having an inlet, a protruded cylindrical axis with a length which is greater than diameter, and an outlet thereby forming individual nozzles;contacting some or all of said flexible flow channels with a variable position deflecting member oriented to, and aligned with, said continuous non-closing path of said flexible flow channels;deflecting some or all of said flow channels from an inward radial position to an outward radial position relative to a centerline of said device, in a continuous manner from a converging to diverging spray by rotating said deflecting member while said fluid is issuing from said plurality of flexible nozzles; and,rotating said deflecting member to engage and deflect some or all of said flexible flow channels with a spiral slot that bounds a lateral portion of at least a portion of said flexible flow channels of said plurality of flexible flow channels. 8. The device of claim 5, wherein said flexible member is an elastomeric compound. 9. The device of claim 5, wherein said flexible flow channels are approximately cylindrical shaped. 10. The device of claim 5, wherein said flexible flow channels are approximately conical shaped.
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