Abstract
A shower jet outlet nozzle includes a hollow chamber (1), a lateral wall (2) delimiting the hollow chamber transversely to a nozzle longitudinal axis (D.sub.L), and a bottom (3) delimiting the hollow chamber in the direction of the nozzle longitudinal axis on an outlet side, which bottom is made of an elastic material and in which a jet outlet opening structure (4.sub.S) including one or a plurality of jet outlet openings (4) and having an open initial configuration, wherein the bottom is configured with the jet outlet opening structure thereof, under the effect of a shower fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber, to deform in an elastically resilient manner and thereby to steadily increase an opening cross-section of the jet outlet opening structure with increasing shower fluid operating pressure within a normal operating pressure range. According to one aspect, the jet outlet opening structure (4.sub.S) is spaced apart from the lateral wall (2), and the bottom (3) on an inner side (3.sub.I) and/or on an outer side (3.sub.A) has a weakening pattern (5) with a lesser wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom, wherein the weakening pattern is designed to deform in an elastically resilient manner under the effect of the fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber (1).
Claims
1. A cup-shaped shower jet outlet nozzle, comprising: a hollow chamber; a lateral wall delimiting the hollow chamber transversely to a nozzle longitudinal axis; a bottom delimiting the hollow chamber in the direction of the nozzle longitudinal axis on an outlet side, which bottom is made of an elastic material and in which a jet outlet opening structure including at least one jet outlet opening and having an open initial configuration is provided; wherein the bottom is configured, with the jet outlet opening structure thereof, under the effect of a shower fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber, to deform in an elastically resilient manner and thereby to steadily increase an opening cross-section of the jet outlet opening structure with increasing shower fluid operating pressure within a normal operating pressure range; and wherein the jet outlet opening structure is spaced apart from the lateral wall, and the bottom on at least one of an inner side and an outer side has a weakening pattern with a lesser wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom, the weakening pattern being configured to deform in an elastically resilient manner under the effect of the fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber.
2. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the weakening pattern includes at least one weakening zone in the bottom, which extends from an associated jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure away from the latter.
3. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the weakening zone in the bottom is a linear weakening zone extending with a radial main directional component in a straight line or single-bent or multiple-bent in undulated lines, or the weakening zone in the bottom extends up to the lateral wall and there transitions into a weakening zone in the lateral wall.
4. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 2, wherein: the bottom for the jet outlet opening, away from which opening the at least one weakening zone extends, is disposed in a jet angle setting manner, wherein the at least one weakening zone extending away from the jet outlet opening on the inner side of the bottom are disposed in an asymmetric arrangement in a jet angle setting manner relative to a longitudinal central plane of the jet outlet opening; or the bottom, at least in a region including the jet outlet opening, extends inclined on the inner side in a jet angle setting manner; or the jet outlet opening in the bottom is disposed eccentrical in a jet angle setting manner.
5. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the asymmetric arrangement of the one or more weakening zones extending away from the jet outlet opening on the inner side of the bottom comprises two linear weakening zones opposed to each other in relation to the longitudinal central plane of the jet outlet opening having at least one of different lengths and different widths, or comprises a weakening zone extending away from the jet outlet opening on the inner side of the bottom, with a non-weakening bottom zone opposed thereto in relation to the longitudinal central plane of the jet outlet opening.
6. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the weakening pattern includes in each case at least one weakening zone on the inner side and on the outer side of the bottom, wherein the at least one weakening zone on the inner side is disposed offset in relation to the at least one weakening zone on the outer side in the circumferential direction of the bottom.
7. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has an outlet equivalent diameter in a range of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm; or a wall thickness of the bottom outside the weakening pattern is in a range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm; or a minimum wall thickness of the bottom in the region of the weakening pattern is between one fifth and half of a wall thickness of the bottom outside the weakening pattern; or the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has a funnel-type quadrant-shaped rounded inlet region which has an inlet curvature radius between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm; or a hollow chamber inner diameter is in a range of 1.5 mm to 4 mm; or a hollow chamber length is in a range of 4 mm to 8 mm; or a wall thickness of the lateral wall outside the weakening pattern is at least 0.8 mm.
8. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the jet outlet opening structure comprises a plurality of jet outlet openings and the bottom comprises a reinforcing bar pattern having a greater wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom, wherein the reinforcing bar pattern subdivides the bottom into a plurality of bottom partial regions, in which in each case at least one of the jet outlet openings is disposed, or extends with one respective reinforcing bar end up to a corresponding one of the jet outlet openings.
9. A cup-shaped shower jet outlet nozzle, comprising: a hollow chamber; a lateral wall delimiting the hollow chamber transversely to a nozzle longitudinal axis; a bottom delimiting the hollow chamber in the direction of the nozzle longitudinal axis on an outlet side, which bottom is made of an elastic material and in which a jet outlet opening structure including at least one jet outlet opening and having an open initial configuration is provided; wherein the bottom is configured, with the jet outlet opening structure thereof, under the effect of a shower fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber, to deform in an elastically resilient manner and thereby to steadily increase an opening cross-section of the jet outlet opening structure with increasing shower fluid operating pressure within a normal operating pressure range; and wherein the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure includes an opening radius increasing and decreasing alternatingly in the circumferential direction, while forming alternate bulge regions and recess regions, wherein the bulge regions each have a rounded shape with a respective minimum bulge curvature radius and the recess regions each have a rounded shape with a respective minimum recess curvature radius, wherein the minimum bulge curvature radii and the minimum recess curvature radii are in a range between 0.01 mm and 1 mm or wherein the minimum bulge curvature radii are in a size ratio between 0.3 and 2.5 to the minimum recess curvature radii.
10. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 9, wherein the jet outlet opening structure is spaced apart from the lateral wall, and the bottom on at least one of an inner side and an outer side has a weakening pattern with a lesser wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom, the weakening pattern being designed to deform in an elastically resilient manner under the effect of the fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber.
11. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 10, wherein the weakening pattern includes at least one weakening zone in the bottom, which extends from an associated jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure away from the latter, wherein the weakening zone in the bottom is a linear weakening zone departing from one of the bulge regions or one of the recess regions of the associated jet outlet opening.
12. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 9, wherein the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has a rounded polygonal cross-sectional base shape, wherein the bulge regions are rounded corner regions of the polygonal cross-sectional base shape.
13. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 9, wherein: the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has an outlet equivalent diameter in a range of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm; or the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has a funnel-type quadrant-shaped rounded inlet region which has an inlet curvature radius between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm; or a hollow chamber inner diameter is in a range of 1.5 mm to 4 mm; or a hollow chamber length is in a range of 4 mm to 8 mm.
14. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 9, wherein the jet outlet opening structure comprises a plurality of jet outlet openings and the bottom comprises a reinforcing bar pattern having a greater wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom, wherein the reinforcing bar pattern subdivides the bottom into a plurality of bottom partial regions, in which in each case at least one of the jet outlet openings is disposed, or extends with one respective reinforcing bar end up to a corresponding one of the jet outlet openings.
15. A cup-shaped shower jet outlet nozzle, comprising: a hollow chamber; a lateral wall delimiting the hollow chamber transversely to a nozzle longitudinal axis; a bottom delimiting the hollow chamber in the direction of the nozzle longitudinal axis on an outlet side, which bottom is made of an elastic material and in which a jet outlet opening structure including at least one jet outlet opening and having an open initial configuration is provided; wherein the bottom is configured, with the jet outlet opening structure thereof, under the effect of a shower fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber, to deform in an elastically resilient manner and thereby to steadily increase an opening cross-section of the jet outlet opening structure with increasing shower fluid operating pressure within a normal operating pressure range; and wherein the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure includes a non-planar opening edge which is undulated extending with an axial directional component pointing in a fluid outlet direction and counter to the fluid outlet direction relative to a plane of the bottom.
16. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 15, wherein the jet outlet opening structure is spaced apart from the lateral wall, and the bottom on at least one of an inner side and an outer side has a weakening pattern with a lesser wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom, the weakening pattern being designed to deform in an elastically resilient manner under the effect of the fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber.
17. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 15, wherein the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure includes an opening radius increasing and decreasing alternatingly in the circumferential direction, while forming alternate bulge regions and recess regions, wherein the bulge regions each have a rounded shape with a respective minimum bulge curvature radius and the recess regions each have a rounded shape with a respective minimum recess curvature radius, wherein the minimum bulge curvature radii and the minimum recess curvature radii are in a range between 0.01 mm and 1 mm, or wherein the minimum bulge curvature radii are in a size ratio between 0.3 and 2.5 to the minimum recess curvature radii
18. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 16, wherein the weakening pattern includes at least one weakening zone in the bottom, which extends from an associated jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure away from the latter.
19. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 18, wherein: the weakening zone in the bottom is a linear weakening zone extending with a radial main directional component in a straight line or single-bent or multiple-bent in undulated lines; or the weakening zone in the bottom extends up to the lateral wall and there transitions into a weakening zone in the lateral wall; or the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has an outlet equivalent diameter in a range of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm; or a wall thickness of the bottom outside the weakening pattern is in a range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm; or a minimum wall thickness of the bottom in the region of the weakening pattern is between one fifth and half of a wall thickness of the bottom outside the weakening pattern; or the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has a funnel-type quadrant-shaped rounded inlet region which has an inlet curvature radius between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm; or a hollow chamber inner diameter is in a range of 1.5 mm to 4 mm; or a hollow chamber length is in a range of 4 mm to 8 mm; or a wall thickness of the lateral wall outside the weakening pattern is at least 0.8 mm.
20. The shower jet outlet nozzle according to claim 15, wherein the at least one jet outlet opening of the jet outlet opening structure has a rounded polygonal cross-sectional base shape, and wherein the bulge regions are rounded corner regions of the polygonal cross-sectional base shape.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and further embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below. In the drawings:
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a front-side perspective view of a cup-shaped shower jet outlet nozzle with a cruciform jet outlet opening;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the nozzle from FIG. 1 from the rear, i.e. from above in FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle from FIG. 1 along a line III-III in FIG. 2;
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a view of a detail of a central bottom region IV in FIG. 2;
[0050] FIG. 5 shows a view of a detail of a region V from FIG. 3;
[0051] FIG. 6 shows a perspective longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the nozzle of FIGS. 1 to 5 with a weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom;
[0052] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 6 from the rear, i.e. from above in FIG. 6;
[0053] FIG. 8 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a nozzle variant with an additional lateral wall weakening pattern;
[0054] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 8 from the rear;
[0055] FIG. 10 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a nozzle variant with a weakening pattern on the outer side of the bottom;
[0056] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a detail of the nozzle of FIG. 10 from the front;
[0057] FIG. 12 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a nozzle variant with a modified weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom;
[0058] FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 12 from the rear;
[0059] FIG. 14 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a further nozzle variant with a modified, bent weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom;
[0060] FIG. 15 shows a plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 14 from the rear;
[0061] FIG. 16 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a further nozzle variant with a modified weakening pattern in undulating lines on the inner side of the bottom;
[0062] FIG. 17 shows a plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 16 from the rear;
[0063] FIG. 18 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a further nozzle variant with a modified weakening pattern in undulating lines on the inner side of the bottom;
[0064] FIG. 19 shows a plan view of the nozzle from FIG. 18 from the rear;
[0065] FIG. 20 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a nozzle variant with a modified cross-sectional shape of the jet outlet opening;
[0066] FIG. 21 shows a plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 20 from the rear;
[0067] FIG. 22 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for a nozzle variant with a jet outlet opening with a non-planar opening edge in undulating lines;
[0068] FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a detail of the nozzle of FIG. 22 from the front;
[0069] FIG. 24 shows a plan view of a detail of a central bottom region of the nozzle of FIGS. 22 and 23 with the jet outlet opening from the front;
[0070] FIG. 25 shows a plan view of a nozzle variant with a jet angle setting, asymmetric weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom with a single linear weakening zone from the rear;
[0071] FIG. 26 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a front region of the nozzle from FIG. 25 with the jet angle setting functionality illustrated;
[0072] FIG. 27 shows a plan view of a further nozzle variant with a jet angle setting, asymmetric weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom with three linear weakening zones from the rear;
[0073] FIG. 28 shows a plan view of a further nozzle variant with a jet angle setting, asymmetric weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom with four linear weakening zones from the rear;
[0074] FIG. 29 shows a plan view of a further nozzle variant with an eccentric jet outlet opening and a jet angle setting, asymmetric weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom with linear weakening zones of unequal length from the rear;
[0075] FIG. 30 shows a perspective longitudinal sectional view of a front region of a nozzle variant with an oblique bottom inner side and a jet angle setting, asymmetric weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom with linear weakening zones of unequal length;
[0076] FIG. 31 shows a plan view of the nozzle from FIG. 30 from the rear;
[0077] FIG. 32 shows a plan view of a further nozzle variant with a jet angle setting, asymmetric weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom with linear weakening zones of unequal length from the rear;
[0078] FIG. 33 shows a plan view of a further nozzle variant with a jet angle setting, asymmetric weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom with linear weakening zones of unequal width from the rear;
[0079] FIG. 34 shows a plan view of a nozzle variant with three cruciform jet outlet openings in the bottom and a reinforcing bar pattern from the rear;
[0080] FIG. 35 shows a perspective view of the nozzle from FIG. 34 from the front;
[0081] FIG. 36 shows a perspective view of a nozzle variant with four cruciform jet outlet openings from the front;
[0082] FIG. 37 shows a plan view of the nozzle from FIG. 36 from the rear;
[0083] FIG. 38 shows a perspective view of a nozzle variant with three triangular jet outlet openings and a reinforcing bar pattern from the front;
[0084] FIG. 39 shows a plan view of the nozzle from FIG. 38 from the rear;
[0085] FIG. 40 shows a perspective view of a nozzle variant with four cruciform jet outlet openings and a weakening pattern on the inner side of the bottom and on the outer side of the bottom from the front;
[0086] FIG. 41 shows the perspective longitudinal sectional view from FIG. 6 for the nozzle of FIG. 40;
[0087] FIG. 42 shows a plan view of the nozzle of FIGS. 40 and 41 from the rear;
[0088] FIG. 43 shows a photographic recording of the bottom region of a nozzle according to FIGS. 6 and 7 from the front in an operating state of the nozzle with the absence of or with a low shower fluid operating pressure;
[0089] FIG. 44 shows the photographic recording from FIG. 43 in an operating state of the nozzle at increased shower fluid operating pressure;
[0090] FIG. 45 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a front region of the nozzle of FIG. 27 along a line A-A in FIG. 27 in a pressureless initial state of the nozzle;
[0091] FIG. 46 shows the view from FIG. 45 in an operating state of the nozzle with a moderately high shower fluid operating pressure;
[0092] FIG. 47 shows the view from FIG. 46 in an operating state of the nozzle with an increased shower fluid operating pressure;
[0093] FIG. 48 shows the view from FIG. 47 in an operating state of the nozzle with a further increased shower fluid operating pressure;
[0094] FIG. 49 shows a characteristic curve graph for illustrating a typical functional relationship between the nozzle internal pressure and the nozzle volume flow for a nozzle according to the invention and for a conventional comparison nozzle;
[0095] FIG. 50 shows half a longitudinal sectional view of a shower device with shower jet outlet nozzles according to the invention integrally formed on an elastomeric jet outlet plate;
[0096] FIG. 51 shows a perspective plan view of the elastomeric jet outlet plate of the shower device from FIG. 50 from the rear; and
[0097] FIG. 52 shows a perspective plan view of the elastomeric jet outlet plate from the front.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0098] The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.
[0099] As shown in various embodiments and views in FIGS. 1 to 48, the cup-shaped shower jet outlet nozzle according to the invention comprises a hollow chamber 1, a lateral wall 2 delimiting the hollow chamber 1 transversely to a nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L, and a bottom 3 delimiting the hollow chamber 1 in the direction of the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L on an outlet side. The bottom 3 is made of an elastic material, preferably an elastomeric material, as is known per se to a person skilled in the art for use in shower jet outlet nozzles. The elastomeric material may be, for example, an elastic silicone material, e.g. with a Shore A hardness between 20 and 70.
[0100] A jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S is formed in the bottom 3, the jet outlet opening structure comprising one or more jet outlet openings 4 and having an open initial configuration, i.e. at least one of the jet outlet openings 4 is already open in the pressureless initial state, which means that its opening cross-section which is available for the passage of shower fluid, i.e. its open cross-sectional area, is already greater than zero in the pressureless initial state. The bottom 3 is designed, with the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S thereof, under the effect of a shower fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber 1, i.e. a nozzle internal pressure, to deform in an elastically resilient manner and thereby to steadily increase the opening cross-section of the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S with increasing shower fluid operating pressure, wherein this applies at least for values of the shower fluid operating pressure which lie within a prespecified normal operating pressure range, i.e. within a range in which the shower fluid operating pressure or nozzle internal pressure can lie during normal operation of the shower jet outlet nozzle. An overpressure range is to be distinguished from this normal operating pressure range, the overpressure range lying above this normal operating pressure range and the shower fluid operating pressure reaching the overpressure range only when abnormal overpressure operating states occur.
[0101] In advantageous embodiments, the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S is spaced apart from the lateral wall 2, i.e. the one or more jet outlet openings 4 thereof do not extend radially in the bottom up to the lateral wall 2, but rather keep a certain radial distance d.sub.R from it, as denoted in a representative manner in FIGS. 1, 35, 36 and 38, and the bottom 3 on an inner side 3.sub.I facing the hollow chamber 1 and/or on an outer side 3.sub.A facing away from the hollow chamber 1 has a weakening pattern 5 with a lesser wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom 3. The weakening pattern 5 is designed to deform in an elastically resilient manner under the effect of the shower fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber 1. FIGS. 6 to 9, 12 to 19, 25 to 35, 38 and 39 show exemplary embodiments in which the weakening pattern 5 is formed solely on the inner side of the bottom. FIGS. 10 and 11 show an exemplary embodiment in which the weakening pattern 5 is formed solely on the outer side of the bottom. FIGS. 40 to 42 show an exemplary embodiment in which the weakening pattern 5 is formed both on the inner side of the bottom and on the outer side of the bottom.
[0102] In advantageous embodiments, the single jet outlet opening or at least one of the plurality of jet outlet openings 4 of the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S has/have an opening radius R.sub.O increasing and decreasing alternatingly in the circumferential direction, while forming alternate bulge regions 6 and recess regions 7. The bulge regions 6 each have a rounded shape with a respective minimum bulge curvature radius K.sub.A and in the same way the recess regions 7 each have a rounded shape with a respective minimum recess curvature radius K.sub.E. In this case, the minimum bulge curvature radii K.sub.A and the minimum recess curvature radii K.sub.E are each in a range between 0.01 mm and 1 mm, and/or the minimum bulge curvature radii K.sub.A are in a size ratio K.sub.A/K.sub.E between 0.3 and 2.5 to the minimum recess curvature radii K.sub.E. Various exemplary embodiments of this kind are shown in FIGS. 1 to 39, wherein the bulge regions 6 and the recess regions 7 are denoted in a representative manner in FIGS. 2, 4, 7, 17, 21 and 39, and the associated minimum curvature radii K.sub.A, K.sub.E are additionally denoted in FIG. 4. As is clear from FIG. 4 in particular, the radius R.sub.O of an opening edge 8 of the jet outlet opening 4 in question therefore changes depending on the circumferential angle, in this case steadily, between a minimum value at the turning point of the respective recess region 7 and a maximum value at the turning point of the respective bulge region 6 with a change gradient which is relatively uniform in accordance with the present minimum curvature radii K.sub.A, K.sub.E, without sudden changes.
[0103] In advantageous embodiments, the single jet outlet opening or at least one of the jet outlet openings 4 of the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S has a non-planar opening edge 8n which is undulated extending with an axial directional component pointing in a fluid outlet direction F.sub.A and counter to the fluid outlet direction F.sub.A relative to a plane E.sub.B of the bottom 3. In this case, the fluid outlet direction F.sub.A is parallel to the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L, and the bottom plane E.sub.B is perpendicular to the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L. An exemplary embodiment of this kind is shown in FIGS. 22 to 24. In other words, the opening edge 8n, as it extends around the circumference, bulges in relation to the remaining region of the bottom 3 alternatingly with an axial directional component counter to the fluid outlet direction F.sub.A to the inside into the hollow chamber 1 and with an axial directional component pointing in the fluid outlet direction F.sub.A to the outside away from the hollow chamber 1.
[0104] In advantageous embodiments, the weakening pattern 5 includes at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1 in the bottom 3, which extends from an associated jet outlet opening 4 of the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S away from the latter. Corresponding exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 6 to 19, 25 to 35 and 45 to 48. Here, in the variants of FIGS. 6 to 9, 12 to 17 and 28 to 35 four weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 on the inner side of the bottom, in the variant of FIGS. 10 and 11 four weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 on the outer side of the bottom, in the variant of FIGS. 18 and 19 five weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.5 on the inner side of the bottom, in the variant of FIGS. 25 and 26 a single weakening zone 5.sub.1 on the inner side of the bottom, and in the variant of FIGS. 27 and 45 to 48 three weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.3 on the inner side of the bottom are disposed extending away from the respective jet outlet opening 4.
[0105] In corresponding implementations, the at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1 in the bottom 3 is a linear weakening zone extending with a radial main directional component, i.e. with a greater directional component in the radial direction of the nozzle than tangentially thereto, in a straight line or single-bent or multiple-bent in undulated lines. FIGS. 6 to 13, 25 to 35 and 38 to 42 show exemplary embodiments in which the respective weakening zone extends in a straight line, wherein it has a shape which widens radially outwards in the circumferential direction in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, while the width of the respective weakening zone remains substantially constant along its longitudinal extent in the other exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 14 and 15 show an exemplary embodiment in which the respective linear weakening zone runs single-bent. FIGS. 16 to 19 show two exemplary embodiments in which the respective linear weakening zone extends multiple-bent in undulating lines.
[0106] In corresponding implementations, the at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1 in the bottom 3 extends up to the lateral wall 2 and there transitions into a weakening zone 9 in the lateral wall 2. FIGS. 8, 9 and 40 to 42 show exemplary embodiments of this kind, wherein in the example of FIGS. 8 and 9 the weakening zone 9 extends axially along the entire longitudinal extent of the lateral wall 2 on the inner side thereof, while in the example of FIGS. 40 to 42 the weakening zone 9 extends only over a relatively short length adjacent to the bottom 3 in the axial direction on the inner side of the lateral wall 2.
[0107] In corresponding implementations, the at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1 in the bottom 3 is a linear weakening zone departing from one of the bulge regions 6 or one of the recess regions 7 of the associated jet outlet opening 4. FIGS. 6 to 11, 14 to 17, 25 to 35, 38 and 39 show exemplary embodiments in which the weakening zones all depart from one of the bulge regions 6. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, the weakening zones all depart from one of the bulge regions 7. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 18, 19 and 28, there is no fixed association of the weakening zones with the bulge or recess regions 6, 7.
[0108] In advantageous embodiments, the bottom 3 for the jet outlet opening 4, away from which opening the at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1 extends, is disposed in a jet angle setting manner. For this purpose, in a first manner of implementation, the one or more weakening zones 5.sub.1 extending away from the jet outlet opening 4 on the inner side 3.sub.I of the bottom 3 are disposed in an asymmetric arrangement in a jet angle setting manner relative to a longitudinal central plane L.sub.M of the jet outlet opening. Corresponding exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 25 to 33. In a second manner of implementation, which can be realized in addition to or as an alternative to the first manner of implementation, the bottom 3 extends in a manner inclined to the inner side in a jet angle setting manner at least in one region including the jet outlet opening 4. An exemplary embodiment in this respect is illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31. In a third manner of implementation, which can be provided in addition to or as an alternative to either of the two first-mentioned manners of implementation, the jet outlet opening 4 in the bottom 3 is disposed eccentrical in a jet angle setting manner. An exemplary embodiment in this respect is illustrated in FIG. 29.
[0109] In corresponding embodiments, as are illustrated in FIGS. 25 to 33 by way of example, the asymmetric arrangement of the one or more weakening zones extending away from the jet outlet opening 4 on the inner side 3.sub.I of the bottom 3 comprises two linear weakening zones 5.sub.1a, 5.sub.1b opposed to each other in relation to the longitudinal central plane L.sub.M of the jet outlet opening 4 having different lengths and/or different widths, or comprises at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1c extending away from the jet outlet opening 4 on the inner side 3.sub.I of the bottom 3, with a non-weakened bottom zone 3.sub.u opposed thereto in relation to the longitudinal central plane L.sub.M of the jet outlet opening 4. FIGS. 25 to 28 show exemplary embodiments of the last-mentioned type in which at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1c extending away from the jet outlet opening 4 is opposite the non-weakened bottom zone 3.sub.u. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 33, the two opposed weakening zones 5.sub.1a, 5.sub.1b have different widths, specifically the weakening zone 5.sub.1a has a width B.sub.5 and the weakening zone 5.sub.1b has a comparatively smaller width b.sub.5. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 29 to 32, the two opposed weakening zones 5.sub.1a, 5.sub.1b have different lengths, specifically the weakening zone 5.sub.1a has a length L.sub.5 and the weakening zone 5.sub.1b has a comparatively shorter length l.sub.5.
[0110] In corresponding embodiments, the weakening pattern 5 includes in each case at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1d, 5.sub.1e on the inner side 3.sub.I and on the outer side 3.sub.A of the bottom 3, wherein the at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1d on the inner side 3.sub.I is disposed offset in relation to the at least one weakening zone 5.sub.1e on the outer side 3.sub.A in the circumferential direction of the bottom 3. A corresponding exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 40 to 42, wherein by way of example in each case four linear, straight weakening zones 5.sub.1d offset through 90° in relation to one another are provided on the bottom inner side 3.sub.I and four linear, straight weakening zones 5.sub.1e disposed offset through in each case 45° in relation thereto are provided on the bottom outer side 3.sub.A. In this case, the weakening zones 5.sub.1e on the outer side of the bottom each extend radially in the region between two adjacent jet outlet openings 4, while the weakening zones 5.sub.1d on the inner side of the bottom each extend radially from the bottom central region to one of the jet outlet openings 4. In the same way, in alternative embodiments, e.g. only in each case two or three or more than four linear, straight or bent weakening zones can be provided on the outer side of the bottom and on the inner side of the bottom, preferably with equidistant circumferential spacings and preferably offset in relation to one another centrally in the circumferential direction.
[0111] In advantageous embodiments, the single jet outlet opening or at least one of the plurality of jet outlet openings 4 of the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S has a rounded polygonal cross-sectional base shape, the rounded corner regions thereof being formed by the bulge regions 6. FIGS. 1 to 21 and 25 to 37 illustrate exemplary embodiments in this respect with a square, i.e. cruciform, cross-sectional base shape, while FIGS. 38 and 39 show an exemplary embodiment with a triangular cross-sectional base shape of the jet outlet openings 4.
[0112] In advantageous implementations, the single jet outlet opening or at least one of the plurality of jet outlet openings 4 of the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S has an outlet equivalent diameter in a range of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, as is the case in the exemplary embodiments shown. This is to be understood to mean that the jet outlet opening 4 in question has, in its pressureless initial state, a free passage cross-section for the shower fluid which is the same size as that of an imaginary circular jet outlet opening with a diameter in the specified range, i.e. between 0.2 mm and 1.2 mm. In particular in the region of smaller diameters, the jet outlet opening 4 is suitable e.g. for providing a fine/needle jet as the shower jet.
[0113] In advantageous implementations, a wall thickness W.sub.B, denoted in a representative manner in FIGS. 5 and 26, of the bottom 3 outside any weakening pattern is, as in the examples shown, in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. This dimensioning proves expedient in respect of a desired stability of the bottom 3 for the vast majority of applications.
[0114] In advantageous implementations, a minimum wall thickness W.sub.M, denoted in a representative manner in FIG. 26, of the bottom 3 in the region of the weakening pattern 5 is, as in the examples shown, between one fifth and half of the wall thickness W.sub.B of the bottom 3 outside the weakening pattern 5. This proves to be optimum matching of the weakened and non-weakened zones of the bottom 3 in respect of the desired fluid pressure-dependent deformability of the bottom 3 for a large number of applications for the purpose of increasing the size of the opening cross-section of the respective jet outlet opening 4 with increasing fluid pressure.
[0115] In advantageous implementations, the single jet outlet opening or at least one of the plurality of jet outlet openings 4 of the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S has a funnel-type quadrant-shaped rounded inlet region 4.sub.E, as is denoted in a representative manner in FIG. 5 and is preferably provided in all of the examples shown. This inlet region 4.sub.E has an inlet curvature radius E.sub.R, likewise denoted in FIG. 5, between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. It is evident that this measure aids low-turbulence flow of the shower fluid out of the hollow chamber 1 into the jet outlet opening 4, this contributing to stabilizing the jet shape of the shower jet exiting from the jet outlet opening 4 to the outside.
[0116] In advantageous implementations, an inner diameter H.sub.D, denoted in FIG. 3, of the hollow chamber 1, as in the examples shown, is in a range of 1.5 mm to 4 mm, wherein the hollow chamber inner diameter H.sub.D preferably remains substantially constant along the longitudinal extent of the nozzle in accordance with the cup shape of the shower jet outlet nozzle and corresponds to the inner diameter of the bottom 3.
[0117] In advantageous implementations, an axial length H.sub.L, likewise denoted in a representative manner in FIG. 3, of the hollow chamber 1, as in the examples shown, is in a range of 4 mm to 8 mm. The hollow chamber length H.sub.L which is usually considerably greater than the hollow chamber inner diameter H.sub.D can foster a desired channelling of the shower fluid entering the nozzle before it passes through the one or more jet outlet openings 4 to the outside.
[0118] In advantageous implementations, a wall thickness W.sub.S, denoted in a representative manner in FIG. 3, of the lateral wall 2 of the nozzle outside the weakening pattern 5 is, as in the examples shown, at least 0.8 mm. This dimensioning of the lateral wall 2 is preferably matched to the other dimensions of the nozzle in such a way that, under the effect of the shower fluid operating pressure, provided that this remains within the normal operating pressure range, substantially only the bottom 3 deforms in an elastically resilient manner, while the lateral wall 2 does not noticeably deform, i.e. remains substantially rigid, given these pressure values of the shower fluid operating pressure in the hollow chamber 1. This then has the effect that, in the case of the shower jet outlet nozzle according to the invention, only the bottom 3 thereof significantly deforms under the effect of the shower fluid operating pressure, which is within the normal operating pressure range, in the hollow chamber 1, without the lateral wall 2 thereof also deforming e.g. in a bulging manner at the same time. In this case, significant deformation is to be understood to mean deformation to such an extent that it traceably or measurably influences the flow of the shower fluid through the nozzle.
[0119] In corresponding embodiments, the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S comprises a plurality of jet outlet openings 4 and the bottom 3 comprises a reinforcing bar pattern 10 having a greater wall thickness as compared to an adjacent region of the bottom 3, wherein the reinforcing bar pattern 10 subdivides the bottom into a plurality of bottom partial regions, in which in each case at least one of the jet outlet openings 4 is disposed, or extends with one respective reinforcing bar end up to a corresponding one of the jet outlet openings 4. Exemplary embodiments of this kind are illustrated in FIGS. 34 to 39.
[0120] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 34 to 35, the reinforcing bar pattern 10 is formed in a star shape with three radial bars by way of which the bottom 3 is subdivided into three bottom partial regions 3.sub.1, 3.sub.2, 3.sub.3 in which in each case one of the in this case three cruciform jet outlet openings 4 is disposed. The weakening pattern 5 with the in each case four linear, straight weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 is associated with each of these jet outlet openings 4. The reinforcing bar pattern 10 has a stabilizing effect on the bottom 3 and limits the deformation of the bottom 3 to a prespecifiable, desired amount. The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 38 and 39 corresponds to that of FIGS. 34 and 35 with the modification that, for the jet outlet openings 4, those with a rounded triangular, rather than square, cross-sectional base shape are used and the in each case associated weakening pattern 5 includes the three linear, straight weakening zones 5.sub.1, 5.sub.2, 5.sub.3 extending radially outwards from the bulge regions 6 of the jet outlet opening 4. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 36 and 37, the reinforcing bar pattern 10 has a cross shape comprising reinforcing bars which are arranged in a central region of the bottom 3, wherein one of in this case four cruciform jet outlet openings 4 adjoins each bar end.
[0121] The measures shown and explained above, on their own and in combination, contribute to a specific, advantageous shower jet behaviour of the shower jet outlet nozzle. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 5, the elastically deformable bottom 3 has only the one, cruciform jet outlet opening 4 in the central region of the bottom 3 for this purpose. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the weakening pattern 5 on the bottom is additionally provided with the four linear, straight weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 on the inside of the bottom. This facilitates the deformation of the bottom 3 at the given shower fluid operating pressure or nozzle internal pressure in the hollow chamber 1. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the four linear, straight weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 on the inner side of the bottom continue through the additional linear, straight weakening zone 9 in the nozzle lateral wall 2, which weakening zone extends over the entire hollow chamber length or lateral wall length. The weakening zones 9 in the lateral wall 2 can reduce the stabilizing effect of the lateral wall 2 on the bottom 3 to a desired extent, this permitting greater deformation of the bottom 3 at the given pressure as required.
[0122] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the weakening pattern 5 is disposed on the outer side of the bottom instead of the inner side of the bottom. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, the weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 on the inner side of the bottom open out in a wedge-shaped manner into the recess regions 7 instead of into the bulge regions 6, as in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 11. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15, the weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 extend in a single-curved or bent manner. As a result, they have a greater length with the same radial extent, and this can facilitate the deformation of the bottom 3 as required. In the example of FIGS. 16 and 17, the linear weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 extend in undulating lines, as a result of which the length thereof can be further increased given the same radial extent, and this can further foster the deformation behaviour of the bottom 3. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19, the weakening pattern 5 includes, instead of the four weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 extending from the bulge regions 6 of the example of FIGS. 16 and 17, the five weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.5 in undulating lines, as a result of which the bottom 3 can be deformed even more readily as required.
[0123] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, the jet outlet opening 4 has an elongate, rounded cross shape with a relatively long cross axis extending from left to right in FIG. 21 and a relatively short cross axis extending from bottom to top in FIG. 21, while in the other cruciform jet outlet openings 4 shown the two cross axes are of equal length. Therefore, the jet shape of the shower jet exiting from the jet outlet opening 4 can be correspondingly modified as required. In addition, the elongate cross shape facilitates the deformation of the bottom 3 in this region.
[0124] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 22 to 24, the shaping of the jet outlet opening 4 with the undulating, non-planar opening edge 8n allows a comparatively smooth deformation behaviour of the bottom 3 in the opening region. Since the opening edge 8n folded in an undulating shape can increasingly unfold with an increasing fluid pressure effect, a relatively large deformation path is available for the opening edge 8n, wherein the bottom 3 with the opening edge 8n can deform or spread out to a relatively great extent to the outside.
[0125] Owing to a corresponding design of the weakening pattern 5, the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 25 to 33 allow a respectively desired jet angle setting, in the case of which the shower jet does not exit from the jet outlet opening 4 in question and therefore leave the nozzle strictly parallel to the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L, but rather does so at an acute setting angle with respect to the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L. For this purpose, the weakening pattern 5 is preferably disposed asymmetrically with respect to the mentioned longitudinal central axis L.sub.M of the nozzle, be it due to asymmetrical distribution of the associated weakening zones, as in the examples of FIGS. 25 to 28, or due to different dimensioning of corresponding weakening zones, as in the examples of FIGS. 32 and 33, or due to an oblique course of the bottom 3 on the inner side 3.sub.I thereof, as in the example of FIGS. 30 and 31. The oblique course is formed in the manner of an oblique plane which extends obliquely from top left to bottom right in the view of FIG. 30. It goes without saying that the said measures can also be combined with one another in any desired manner as required.
[0126] FIG. 26 illustrates the effect of the jet angle setting for the example of FIG. 27 in more detail. The sectional view of FIG. 26 shows the linear weakening zone 5.sub.1 or 5.sub.1c to the left of the jet outlet opening 4, the non-weakened bottom region 3u being situated opposite to the right of the said linear weakening zone. The linear weakening zone 5.sub.1 or 5.sub.1c forms a channel-like recess on the bottom inner side 3.sub.I, with the result that the shower fluid under operating pressure passes along the linear weakening zone 5.sub.1c at a somewhat higher flow rate into the jet outlet opening 4 than in the opposite, non-weakened bottom region 3u. This is symbolized in FIG. 26 by a relatively long flow arrow F.sub.1 in the weakening zone 5.sub.1c and a relatively short flow arrow F.sub.2 in the non-weakened bottom region 3u. This effect has the result that a resulting flow direction, symbolized by a flow arrow F.sub.3 in FIG. 26, is produced for the shower fluid exiting from the jet outlet opening 4 which is dominated to a somewhat greater extent by the relatively large transverse component of the greater flow rate on the side of the weakening zone 5.sub.1c than by the relatively small transverse component of the lower flow rate in the non-weakened bottom region 3u, so that the shower jet does not exit from the jet outlet opening 4 and therefore the nozzle strictly parallel to the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L, but rather with a set jet direction which forms a setting angle α, indicated in FIG. 26, with the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L.
[0127] Therefore, a respectively desired jet outlet direction of the shower jet from the nozzle can be provided due to corresponding dimensioning of the bottom 3 and in particular the weakening pattern 5. The setting angle α can be selected in a relatively wide range, wherein a setting angle in the range of greater than 0° and less than approximately 20° to 30° is usually preferred, e.g. often an angle between 5° and 15°.
[0128] In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 29 to 33, the setting angle effect is not based on a non-weakened bottom region being situated opposite a weakening zone, but rather on weakening zones of unequal extent being situated opposite each other, wherein this is additionally amplified by the oblique position of the bottom inner side 3.sub.I in the example of FIGS. 30 and 31.
[0129] The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 34 to 42 in each case have a plurality of jet outlet openings 4 in the bottom 3, wherein it may be expedient for the purpose of bottom stabilization to provide the reinforcing bar pattern 10, as in the examples of FIGS. 34 to 39. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 40 to 42, circular jet outlet openings 4 are used, wherein the bottom is designed in a comparatively readily deformable manner there by way of the mentioned weakening zones of the weakening pattern 5 being formed both on the outer side of the bottom and on the inner side of the bottom.
[0130] FIGS. 43 and 44 illustrate, for a nozzle according to the invention produced with the design of FIGS. 6 and 7, the advantageous bottom deformation behaviour of the nozzle with a considerable increase in the size of the effective opening cross-section of the jet outlet opening 4 with increasing shower fluid operating pressure, i.e. nozzle internal pressure in the hollow chamber 1.
[0131] FIG. 43 shows the nozzle in its pressureless initial state with the rounded cross shape of the central jet outlet opening 4, as also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 44 shows the nozzle, in the same view, under an operating pressure loading of approximately 1.0 bar, this already being a pressure value generally somewhat above the normal operating pressure range. It can be clearly seen how the bottom 3 has deformed in a bulging manner to the outside, as a result of which the opening cross-section of the jet outlet opening 4 has greatly increased, e.g. to approximately five times to six times its cross-section in the pressureless state of FIG. 43. FIG. 44 also shows the four linear, radial weakening zones 5.sub.1 to 5.sub.4 which render possible this considerable and in this case fully elastically reversible deformation of the bottom 3. Furthermore, it is clear from FIGS. 43 and 44 that the cross shape of the jet outlet opening 4 is substantially maintained with increasing deformation of the bottom 3, i.e. there is no fundamental change in shape of the passage cross-section of the jet outlet opening 4 with different operating pressures.
[0132] FIGS. 45 to 48 illustrate that the nozzle according to the invention furthermore has the advantage that the bottom 3 deforms virtually fully symmetrically along the circumference of the jet outlet opening 4 both in the possible weakening zones and in the non-weakened bottom regions. This has the further advantageous effect that the deformation of the bottom 3, which increases with increasing fluid operating pressure, does not cause any appreciable change in the jet angle at which the shower jet leaves the jet outlet opening 4 and therefore the nozzle, irrespective of whether the shower jet exits parallel to the nozzle longitudinal axis D.sub.L or at an oblique angle or setting angle in relation thereto.
[0133] For this purpose, FIGS. 45 to 48 show the nozzle with the design of FIG. 26 in operating states with different fluid operating pressures. FIG. 45 illustrates the operating situation in the pressureless state or with an at least extremely low fluid operating pressure which does not result in any appreciable deformation of the bottom 3. FIG. 46 shows the nozzle at a somewhat increased fluid pressure. In comparison to FIG. 45, it can be seen how the bottom 3 has already deformed in a slightly outwardly bulging manner. In this case, the bottom 3 bulges outwards to a substantially equal extent at the edge of the jet outlet opening 4 firstly in the weakening zone 5.sub.1c and secondly in the non-weakened bottom region 3u. This can also be seen for the operating states with respectively further increased fluid operating pressure according to FIGS. 47 and 48. Even with the high operating fluid pressure of FIG. 48, the protrusion of the bottom 3 to the outside which increases with a higher pressure remains largely symmetrical, i.e. the protrusion is substantially equal along the entire circumferential edge of the jet outlet opening 4, both in the weakening zone 5.sub.1c and in the non-weakened bottom region 3u.
[0134] FIG. 49 qualitatively illustrates the particularly advantageous behaviour of the shower jet outlet nozzle according to the invention at different fluid operating pressures in a characteristic curve graph of the shower fluid operating pressure, i.e. of the shower fluid pressure prevailing in the interior of the hollow chamber 1 of the nozzle preferably in the vicinity of the respective jet outlet opening 4 during operation of the nozzle, as a function of the volume flow, i.e. of the volume of shower fluid passing through the jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S of the nozzle per unit time. A characteristic curve K1 shows the behaviour of a conventional shower jet outlet nozzle not deforming under the effect of the fluid operating pressure which therefore exhibits no noticeably expanding deformation of its jet outlet opening structure with increasing volume flow.
[0135] The nozzle internal pressure, which as stated is specifically the pressure directly upstream of the respective jet outlet opening, increases substantially quadratically in the case of this conventional nozzle, as is clear from the profile of the characteristic curve K1. In contrast to this, the nozzle internal pressure in the case of the nozzle according to the invention rises significantly less sharply with increasing volume flow, the associated pressure behaviour as a function of the volume flow being qualitatively illustrated by a characteristic curve K2 in FIG. 49. This expedient nozzle behaviour is based on the property of the nozzle according to the invention that the bottom thereof deforms with increasing shower fluid operating pressure and as a result the opening cross-section of its jet outlet opening structure 4.sub.S significantly increases. This allows relatively high volume flows with a relatively low nozzle internal pressure. Therefore, the nozzle according to the invention allows e.g. volume flows of up to approximately 30 litres/min with a nozzle internal pressure of at most approximately 0.4 bar and preferably even only up to approximately 0.2 bar in accordance with the characteristic curve K2 given a corresponding design. To put it another way, the nozzle according to the invention allows relatively high volume flows during operation even at relatively low shower fluid operating pressure or nozzle internal pressure. In yet other words, the nozzle according to the invention allows relatively high volume flows even in the normal operating pressure range up to approximately 0.4 bar or approximately 0.5 bar. This makes the nozzle according to the invention particularly suitable for flexible use in applications with different available fluid operating pressures. Therefore, the nozzle according to the invention can be used with an identical design for various regions or countries which provide different fluid supply pressure levels, whereas specially adapted nozzles of different design usually have to be used here.
[0136] The shower device according to the invention has at least one shower jet outlet nozzle according to the invention and may be, in particular, a sanitary shower device. FIG. 50 illustrates an example in which the shower device has a flat design known per se, as is used for sanitary overhead shower devices for example. The shower device shown has a shower device housing 11 which is held in a pivotable manner at an inlet port 13 by means of a ball joint 12. At the outlet end, the shower device housing 11 terminates with a jet disc 14 which is provided with jet disc openings 15. A cup-shaped shower jet outlet nozzle 16 according to the invention is disposed in each jet disc opening 15 as a jet outlet element.
[0137] In the exemplary embodiment of the shower device shown, the shower jet outlet nozzles 16 according to the invention are integrally formed on a jet outlet plate 17 which is shown as a single component in FIGS. 51 and 52 and, by way of a front side shown in FIG. 52, bears against a rear side or inner side of the jet disc 14. The jet outlet plate 17 is made from an elastic material, such as a customary silicone-based elastomeric material, and is therefore also referred to as a jet outlet mat. The shower jet outlet nozzles 16 according to the invention are integrally formed on the jet outlet plate 17. FIG. 51 shows the jet outlet plate 17 with its rear side, from which the shower jet outlet nozzles 16 with the inlet regions 18 thereof open out. In alternative shower device designs, the shower jet outlet nozzles according to the invention are fitted as individual elements, for which purpose they have suitable foot regions. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 48 shown, the shower jet outlet nozzles are in each case formed with an optional foot region 19, as denoted in a representative manner in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6.
[0138] As is clear from the exemplary embodiments shown and the further exemplary embodiments explained above, the invention provides a shower jet outlet nozzle which has particular advantages in respect of the shower jet characteristics that can be provided by it with different shower fluid operating pressure levels and is preferably suitable for providing a relatively fine shower jet. Owing to the bulging deformation of the bottom, the formation of lime deposits can be reduced and any lime deposits formed can automatically fall off again. The nozzle according to the invention is suitable for use in any desired sanitary and non-sanitary shower devices.
[0139] Although the invention has been described in detailed with reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
