A spray pattern monitoring system includes a spray sensor disposed proximate an outlet of a spray nozzle. The spray sensor has one or more optical sensors configured to emit directional light, such as laser pulses, towards the expected position of a liquid spray emitted from the nozzle. The spray sensor can detect the absence or presence of the liquid spray based on returns of the directional light to the optical sensor.

A process for flushing a dispenser that dispenses liquids, especially perfumes, containing microcapsules. The dispenser has a first reservoir for a first composition containing microcapsules and a second reservoir for a second composition containing a volatile solvent. The dispenser also has a swirl chamber and a premix chamber. The process simultaneously pumps the first and second compositions into the premix chamber and then into the swirl chamber. The pumping of the first composition is halted while the pumping of the second composition continues, and this provides an extra volume of the volatile solvent, which flushes the dispenser to prevent clogging by the microcapsules.

An apparatus for inserting a canister (3) into an inhaler actuator device (20), wherein the apparatus comprises a force sensor (25) adapted to measure a reaction force between the canister and actuator device as the canister moves relative to the actuator device, and a corresponding method.

A system for controlling nozzle flow rate includes a master node having an expected overall flow rate module configured to generate an expected overall flow rate of an agricultural product based on one or more sprayer characteristics, and an adjustment module configured to generate an error correction based on a difference between the expected overall flow rate and an actual overall flow rate of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are in communication with the master node, each of the smart nozzles includes an electronic control unit in communication with one or more control valves and one or more nozzle assemblies. Each of the smart nozzles includes a target smart nozzle flow rate module configured to generate a target smart nozzle flow rate of the agricultural product based on the one or more sprayer characteristics. The target smart nozzle flow rate is adjusted according to the error correction.

Methods and systems of accurately dispensing a viscous fluid onto a substrate. In an embodiment, a method includes using an electronic flow meter device to produce electrical flow meter output signals and performing a responsive control function in a closed loop manner by adjusting at least one dispensing parameter to correct for a difference between an output data set and a reference data set. In another embodiment, a system includes a control operatively coupled to a gas flow meter device and to a weigh scale allowing for a density of an amount of viscous material to be determined. In another embodiment, a method includes using a control coupled to both a gas flow meter device and a weigh scale and performing a responsive control function in a closed loop manner by adjusting at least one dispensing parameter using gas flow meter output signals and weigh scale output signals.

This invention completely mitigates the problem of water dripping out of a conventional shower head over a long period of time, and/or suddenly discharging from the shower head, long after the shutoff valve is closed. The invention is very simple and consists of drilling a small hole in the body of the shower head, and providing a flapper with a hinge on one side of the snall hole and a stopper on the other side. After the shutoff valve is closed, gravity and partial vacuum inside the shower head opens the hole, thereby destroying the partial vacuum and ensuring that residual water in the body of the shower head gets discharged immediately. When the shutoff valve is opened, water under high pressure ensures the flapper firmly closes the small hole, thereby preventing water from escaping through it.

A spray gun includes a gun body and valves configured to control flow of material and air through the gun body. A trigger is mounted to the gun body and is disposed relative to the valves such that the trigger actuates the valves in sequence to begin air flow and material flow. A sensor senses when the trigger is in an actuated state and the sensor causes a pump to begin pumping material to the spray gun. Release of the trigger causes the trigger to leave the actuated state. A detent mechanism holes the trigger in a detent state intermediate the actuated state and a resting state. The sensor does not sense the trigger with the trigger in the detent state. The trigger maintains the valves open with the trigger in the detent state.

A method of assembling a nozzle assembly is disclosed. The method includes: providing a nozzle member having a central passage defined by at least an inner side surface and an inner distal surface; inserting a fluid atomizer into the central passage of the nozzle member; and, with a distal surface of the fluid atomizer arranged adjacent the inner distal surface of the nozzle member, flexing legs of the fluid atomizer in a radially-outward direction for engaging each leg of the legs with the inner side surface of the nozzle member. A fluid atomizer is also disclosed. A nozzle assembly is also disclosed. A method of utilizing a nozzle assembly is also disclosed.

Exemplary backpressure monitoring apparatuses may include a fluid supply source having a fluid port. The backpressure monitoring apparatuses may include a flow control mechanism fluidly coupled with the fluid port. The backpressure monitoring apparatuses may include a delivery tube fluidly coupled with the flow control mechanism and the fluid port. The backpressure monitoring apparatuses may include a pressure differential gauge fluidly coupled with the delivery tube. The pressure differential gauge may include an interface mechanism that is engageable with an outlet of a fluid flow device.

In one embodiment, a self-cleaning nozzle comprises a nozzle body, a sleeve surrounding a proximal end of the nozzle body, a pillar disposed within the nozzle body and a spring. The nozzle body may have a hollow cylindrical interior. The nozzle body may include an orifice formed in a distal end of the nozzle body, a shoulder formed on a proximal end of the nozzle body, and a first bearing surface on an outer lateral face of the shoulder. The sleeve may include a second bearing surface on an inner face of the sleeve and a retaining lip formed at a distal end of the sleeve. The retaining lip may define a distal end of an annular space between the sleeve and the nozzle body. The shoulder may define a proximal end of the annular space. The pillar may have a distal tip configured to interface with the orifice, thereby forming a liquid seal. The spring may be captured within the annular space, thereby biasing the distal tip of the pillar into contact with the orifice.