Outlet for spraying liquid

Abstract

The outlet (1) serves to spray a liquid such as water or an aqueous mixture. The outlet 1 comprises: a central sprayer (2) configured to generate a main spray (26) of the liquid, the central sprayer (2) including a set of at least two nozzles (21) arranged to generate a colliding jet of the liquid, thereby generating a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper (25) for guiding and shaping the spray of droplets; and a set of peripheral nozzles (3) configured to generate a peripheral spray (36) of the liquid, the peripheral spray (36) at least partially surrounding the main spray (26). The peripheral spray (36) serves to converge and enclose the main spray (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an outlet for spraying a liquid such as water or an aqueous mixture, for example in a cleaning facility used in the field of household piping equipment or for the treatment of the human body.

Background Art

[0002] WO 2004 / 101163 and US 2005 / 001072 disclose a shower head having a number of nozzle pairs, each nozzle pair generating impinging jets of water for the purpose of generating a spray of water. The shower head is thought to operate well over a certain pressure range.

[0003] Belgian Patent No. 514104 discloses a spray head having impinging water jets generated by four holes inclined at an angle of 45° in a flat plate. The thickness of the plate is 1 to 5 mm. The diameter of the holes is said to be smaller than 12 mm for the nozzles.

[0004] US Patent No. 2744738 discloses an aerator having impinging water jets including a flow guiding element after the impingement point.

[0005] US 2005 / 011652 discloses a spray head for extinguishing a fire. A "solid cone" spray pattern is formed by the interaction or impingement of water sprays from inner nozzles. A set of outer nozzles surrounding the inner nozzles spray outwardly. US 2323464 also discloses a nozzle for fire extinguishing having a similar structure with two rings of nozzles.

[0006] WO 2013 / 077030 shows a shower head in which the intensity and range of the jets can be freely set. This comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged in a plurality of rings and removably attached to the water passage holes of a water injection plate.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 10,525,488 shows a massage showerhead with a hydraulic turbine that drives a shutter to vibrate across a group of nozzle outlet holes. The central nozzle bank is surrounded by a ring-shaped configuration of nozzle groups.

[0008] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 173602 shows a spray head having a valve configured to switch between different functions. A first outlet having a ring of nozzles is configured to produce a first spray having a specific pattern such as a wedge shape. The central outlet provides an aerated flow of fluid, and the peripheral outlets have nozzles on a formed spray surface that provides a spray having a shape different from the shape of the arrangement of the nozzles themselves.

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 184409 shows a spray head having a central "bubbler", each having a plurality of injection orifices, and a circumferential set of water outlet units. They help to provide water conservation and / or a good spray even at low pressure. A switch alternatively enables water to be supplied to the central or peripheral outlets.

[0010] U.S. Patent No. 8,458,826 discloses an outlet for a shower or faucet where water is discharged at a low flow rate and high pressure, typically above 10 bar, via impinging jets. In contrast to the above International Publication No. 2004 / 101163, only one or two nozzle pairs are sufficient for the outlet of the showerhead. A good washing experience, i.e., sufficient water flow and a good rinsing feeling despite the low flow rate, is obtained by atomization of the water by the impinging jets, which is a result of the high pressure.

[0011] International Publication No. WO 2011 / 054120 discloses, for example, in the embodiments according to FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIGS. 20 to 23, a cartridge for generating a spray of a liquid such as water or an aqueous mixture from a collision jet. Such a cartridge can be an integrated unit for atomizing and spraying such an aqueous mixture by causing a liquid collision jet to collide under high pressure. Such a prior art cartridge 11 is shown in FIG. 1. The main nozzle set body 13 or the cartridge body is preferably made of a plastic material. The atomized spray is generated by causing it to collide with a liquid jet flowing from nozzle 21. Nozzle 21 is defined by or made in a nozzle insert 21' disposed in cartridge body 13. In other embodiments, nozzle 21 is molded directly into cartridge body 13 without a separate nozzle insert. From the cartridge inlet, the liquid first flows into a preliminary chamber 16, then into an intermediate chamber 12, and from there into nozzle 21. The nozzles stand at an angle of 90° to each other. After exiting the nozzles, the water jets fly through the free volume of the cavity defining the surface or inner wall 15 acting as a spray shaper 25 until they hit another jet at the collision point 22. The generated spray is the initial spray 23 inside the cartridge 11. The initial spray 23 is shaped by the spray shaper 25. This passes through a blocking element 24, particularly a sieve or a mesh or a perforated plate, to form a spray 26 exiting the cartridge 11.

[0012] International Publication No. WO 2019 / 233958 discloses an outlet similar to that of International Publication No. WO 2011 / 054120.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0013] Such problems with prior art outlets can, depending on the situation in which they are used, be that the spray spreads too much. For example, in hair care applications, it is desirable to spray only the treated scalp without wetting the person's face. Further, the average energy and velocity of the spray droplets are relatively high. This is due to the fact that the droplets are generated by impinging jets. Impinging jets are used to generate a fine spray with good wetting and rinsing capabilities even at low flow rates compared to standard outlets such as conventional showerheads. However, if the droplets are fast, they can bounce off the scalp and wet other areas in an undesirable way.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to create an outlet of the first-mentioned type that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. In particular, it is an object to improve the spray characteristics of the outlet.

[0015] These objects are achieved by an outlet according to the claims. The outlet serves to spray a liquid such as water or an aqueous mixture. The outlet · a central sprayer configured to generate a main spray of the liquid, the central sprayer comprising a set of at least two nozzles arranged to generate an impinging jet of the liquid, thereby generating a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper for guiding and shaping the spray of droplets; · a set of peripheral nozzles configured to generate a peripheral spray of the liquid, the peripheral spray at least partially surrounding the main spray.

[0016] The effect of the peripheral spray is to focus the main spray. That is, instead of spreading away from the central axis of the main spray, the main spray remains contained within the peripheral spray. The peripheral spray forms a curtain that deflects droplets from the main spray and keeps them within the curtain. Having a focused spray is advantageous, for example in cosmetic or hair care applications, where it is desirable to avoid spraying and wetting untreated areas.

[0017] A further effect can be that the peripheral spray creates a thin layer of liquid on the object or surface to which the main spray is applied. In the case of hair care applications, this is the human scalp. This layer absorbs the high-speed droplets of the main spray, which otherwise could bounce off the object and reach places where they are not desired.

[0018] The flow of liquid from the separate peripheral nozzles drags ambient air along with it. As a result, the air and water flows combine to form a curtain. Droplets from the main spray are captured and carried by this curtain even in regions of the curtain where there is no water from the peripheral nozzles.

[0019] In some embodiments, the peripheral spray surrounds one-third, one-half, two-thirds, or three-quarters of the main spray. Conversely, the curtain corresponding to the peripheral spray opens at around two-thirds, one-half, one-third, or one-quarter around the perimeter of the main spray. These values are typically measured with respect to the geometric center of the peripheral nozzles. If the outlet has a handle for holding it, the open part of the curtain is preferably oriented towards the handle.

[0020] In embodiments, the geometric center of the peripheral nozzles is on the longitudinal axis of the spray shaper. In embodiments where the central spray device comprises two or more spray shapers, the geometric center of the peripheral nozzles can coincide with the geometric center of the spray shaper.

[0021] In an embodiment, the outlet comprises a supply chamber, and both the central sprayer and the peripheral nozzles are configured to be supplied with liquid from the supply chamber.

[0022] Accordingly, the supply chamber functions as a common supply chamber. This is part of the outlet. The outlet is typically a hand-held shower head or sprayer. Accordingly, there is no separate supply source for the central sprayer and the peripheral nozzles. This can simplify the configuration of the outlet.

[0023] In an embodiment, the central sprayer and the peripheral nozzles are sized such that the total flow rate through all the peripheral nozzles is 0.2 to 1.6 times, particularly 0.4 to 1.1 times, the flow rate through the central sprayer. More specifically, the total flow rate through all the peripheral nozzles is at least approximately the same as the flow rate through the central sprayer.

[0024] Experimentally, it has been found that such a flow rate relationship is the optimal compromise between the requirement to reduce the total flow rate and the requirement to effectively contain the main spray within the peripheral spray. The desired effect of the outlet is the action of the main spray. The purpose of the peripheral spray is only to reduce the adverse effects of the main spray. The overall purpose is to use little water. Accordingly, the flow rate of the peripheral spray should be as low as possible while still being effective for its purpose. This is generally achieved with the above values. Preferably, the total flow rate through all the peripheral nozzles is lower than the flow rate through the central sprayer. There may be an optimal value when the total flow rate through all the peripheral nozzles is 0.9 times the flow rate through the central sprayer.

[0025] In an embodiment, such a flow rate relationship is achieved by the total area of the peripheral nozzles being less than 2 times or 1.1 times or 1 times or 0.9 times the total area of the inner nozzles. The area of the nozzle is considered to be the minimum cross-sectional area of the nozzle along its length.

[0026] In an embodiment, the peripheral nozzles form a part of a ring or a complete ring, particularly a part of a circle or a complete circular ring, around the central sprayer.

[0027] In an embodiment, for each of the peripheral nozzles, its longitudinal axis is offset by less than 20 degrees, particularly less than 10 degrees, from the longitudinal axis of the central sprayer, and more particularly is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central sprayer.

[0028] As a result, the curtain formed by the peripheral spray can form a frustum of a cone, particularly a frustum of a circular cone. In an embodiment where the peripheral nozzles are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central sprayer, the curtain forms a cylinder, particularly a circular cylinder.

[0029] The longitudinal axis of the central sprayer corresponds to the axis that bisects the angle between the opposing inner nozzles. This is typically also the axis of rotational symmetry of the shape of the inner surface of the spray shaper.

[0030] In an embodiment, the average distance of the peripheral nozzles from the longitudinal axis of the central sprayer is 7 to 18 millimeters, particularly 9 to 14 millimeters, and more particularly 11 to 12 millimeters.

[0031] In the case of a circular arrangement, the distances of all the peripheral nozzles are the same. In an embodiment, the outlet comprises 40 to 120 peripheral nozzles, particularly 50 to 80 peripheral nozzles, and more particularly at least about 60 to 70 peripheral nozzles.

[0032] In an embodiment, the total area of the peripheral nozzles is smaller than 2 times or 1.1 times or 1 time or 0.9 times the total area of the inner nozzles.

[0033] In an embodiment, the distance between the peripheral nozzles is 1 to 5 millimeters, particularly 1 to 2 millimeters, and more particularly 1 to 1.5 millimeters.

[0034] In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the peripheral nozzle is 0.05 to 0.35 millimeters, particularly 0.15 to 0.25 millimeters.

[0035] In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the inner nozzle is 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, particularly at least about 0.8 mm.

[0036] In an embodiment, the nozzle body includes two or four or more inner nozzles, and particularly these inner nozzles have a common collision point.

[0037] In an embodiment, the angle between the inner nozzle and the longitudinal axis of the spray shaper is 65 to 90 degrees, particularly 70 to 80 degrees, and particularly at least about 75 degrees.

[0038] Such an angle results in fewer high-speed droplets in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction of the spray, compared to a smaller angle. This reduces the force exerted on an object such as the body or the scalp.

[0039] In an embodiment, the nozzle body having the inner nozzle and the skirt having the peripheral nozzle are manufactured as a single part, particularly as a single part of a plastic material.

[0040] In an embodiment, the peripheral nozzle is manufactured by perforation. In an embodiment, the outlet is designed for an operating pressure of the liquid between 1 and 6 bar, and a total flow rate of the main spray and the peripheral spray between 2 and 4 liters per minute, particularly between 2.5 and 3.5 liters per minute.

[0041] In an embodiment, the outlet includes a flow separation element, and the flow separation element includes at least one additional inlet connection for supplying the liquid to be sprayed. When joined to the central sprayer, particularly the nozzle body, the flow separation element forms a liquid communication from the additional inlet to a first subset of the inner nozzles and does not form a liquid communication to a second subset of the inner nozzles.

[0042] The flow separation element does not affect the second subset, i.e., leaves the liquid communication to the second subset open. When assembled at the outlet, the second subset of the inner nozzles is in liquid communication with the supply chamber and the first subset is not. The flow separation element prevents liquid from the supply chamber from flowing into and through the first subset of the inner nozzles. The first and second subsets of the inner nozzles do not overlap. The first subset is supplied via the flow separation element and the second subset is supplied via the supply chamber.

[0043] In an embodiment, the flow separation element and the second subset of the inner nozzles are supplied through separate supply conduits. Such separate supply conduits may be separate flexible tubes combined in a common hose for supplying to the outlet. The first supply conduit is in liquid communication with the first subset of the inner nozzles (via the flow separation element) and the second supply conduit is in liquid communication with the second subset of the inner nozzles (via the supply chamber). This arrangement can be used in combination with, for example, a supply station that supplies a mixture of water and an additive to the first supply conduit and water only to the second supply conduit.

[0044] In an embodiment, the flow separation element and the supply chamber are supplied via a common conduit, and a flow biasing element is disposed at the outlet to control the flow from the common conduit and direct it to either or both of the supply chamber or the flow separation element. This enables operation of the main spray with different flow rates and / or spray characteristics.

[0045] Thanks to the flow separation element, depending on the use of the outlet, it is possible to use the same type of nozzle body with or without the flow separation element at the outlet. The nozzle body can be mass-produced with high precision and used for any application.

[0046] According to one aspect of the present invention, the flow separation element is provided for a central sprayer or in combination with a central sprayer having no peripheral nozzles as described herein. Even in this aspect, the flow separation element can be used to convert a single type of nozzle body to be used with two different fluids from different supply sources instead of using a single fluid.

[0047] Further embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims. The subject matter of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following text with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0048]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0049] As a general rule, the same or functionally identical parts are designated by the same reference signs in the figures.

[0050] Outlet 1 comprises at least nozzle body 20 and shell 5. The nozzle body 20 is typically a single part of plastic material. It comprises a central sprayer 2 and a set of peripheral nozzles 3 surrounding the central sprayer 2. The central sprayer 2 comprises a hollow spray shaper 25 extending from the rear end portion 27 of the spray shaper to the front face 28 of the spray shaper. The spray shaper 25 has the shape of a hollow cylinder. Near the rear end portion 27 of the spray shaper, a set of inner nozzles 21 for generating impinging jets of liquid are arranged. The present embodiment shows four such inner nozzles 21, and in other embodiments, two or three inner nozzles 21 can be present. The present embodiment shows four nozzles having a common impingement point 22, and in other embodiments, the first pair of opposing nozzles has a first impingement point and the second pair has a second impingement point.

[0051] The impinging jets generate a spray of water. Methods and devices for generating such a spray, in particular cartridges and different spray shapers, are described, for example, below.

[0052] · WO 2011 / 054120 · WO 2011 / 054121 · WO 2019 / 233958 · WO 2020 / 070159 Thus, the central sprayer 2 generates a fine spray of water. This enables an effective wetting and rinsing operation using a relatively small amount of water.

[0053] In the present embodiment, in contrast to the prior art, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the inner nozzle 21 and the longitudinal axis 29 of the main spray is relatively large, for example between 65° and 90°, in particular about 75°. This reduces the velocity of the droplets in the spray in the direction of the longitudinal axis 29.

[0054] The water spray forms an initial spray 23 that is shaped and guided according to the shape of the inner wall 15 of the spray shaper 25. The spray exits the nozzle body 20 and thus the entire outlet 1 at the front face 28 of the spray shaper to form the main spray 26.

[0055] The nozzle body 20 includes a skirt 31 that surrounds the spray shaper 25 at the front face 28 of the spray shaper. The peripheral nozzles 3 are disposed within the skirt 31 around the opening of the spray shaper 25 through which the main spray 26 exits the spray shaper 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral nozzles 3, i.e., their respective longitudinal axes, are parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the main spray 26. Then the shape of the composite spray is cylindrical. In other embodiments, they are slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 29. Typically, since they intersect the longitudinal axis 29 at the same point, the composite spray of the peripheral nozzles 3 has the shape of a frustum of a cone.

[0056] The composite spray of the peripheral nozzles 3 forms a peripheral spray 36. The peripheral spray 36 constitutes a curtain of liquid and ambient air entrained with the liquid. The curtain captures and entrains droplets that would otherwise fly off from the main spray 26 and spreads the main spray 26 laterally. Thereby, the main spray 26 is concentrated and contained. Further, the curtain can create a layer of water on the scalp, thereby preventing some of the droplets of the main spray from bouncing back.

[0057] Figure 4 shows the nozzle body 20 disposed within the shell 5. The shell 5 is represented only in a very schematic way. This may be part of a shower head 55 as in FIG. 8 or another type of handheld spray device and may or may not have a handle 52 for ease of operation. This can include a fitting 53 for attaching a hose and an inlet 54 for supplying liquid to the supply chamber 4 of the outlet 1. The shell 5 can be composed of several parts. In this embodiment, the nozzle body 20 is inserted into the shell 5 and held by a screw-on cap 51.

[0058] The supply chamber 4 is configured to supply liquid to the inner nozzle 21 for the main spray 26 and the peripheral nozzle 3 for the peripheral spray 36. Therefore, all of these nozzles operate at the same hydraulic pressure. The dimensions of the inner nozzle 21 and the peripheral nozzle 3 are such that at the target operating pressure of the liquid, the desired total flow rate and the desired relationship between the flow rates of the main spray 26 and the peripheral spray 36 are achieved.

[0059] Typical operating parameters are as follows. · Pressure: 1 bar to 6 bar, · Total flow rate: 2.5 to 3.5 liters per minute, · Main spray flow rate: 1.5 to 2 liters per minute, · Peripheral spray flow rate: 1 to 1.5 liters per minute.

[0060] Typical further parameters can be as follows. · Dn - Nozzle diameter: 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, particularly at least about 0.8 mm.

[0061] · Hb - Maximum distance between the rear end 27 of the spray shaper and the front face 28 of the spray shaper: 12 to 33 millimeters, particularly 24 to 28 millimeters, particularly at least about 26 millimeters.

[0062] · Distance Hd from the rear end 27 of the spray shaper to the collision point 22: 1 to 4 millimeters, particularly 2 to 3 millimeters.

[0063] · Ds - Inner diameter of the spray shaper 25: 8 to 18 millimeters, preferably 14 millimeters.

[0064] · Phi_n - Angle between the longitudinal axes of two opposing inner nozzles 21: 150° + / - 30°.

[0065] The outer part of the rear end of the nozzle body 20 is frustoconical. The conical shape has a lower part and an upper part, and the angle of the frustum at the upper part is smaller than the angle of the frustum at the lower part. This makes it easier to manufacture the inner nozzle 21 of the upper section, considering that the angle between the inner nozzle 21 and the longitudinal axis 29 is relatively large.

[0066] The holes for the inner nozzle 21 and / or the peripheral nozzles 3 can be manufactured by drilling or by laser erosion or laser etching or chemical etching.

[0067] The central sprayer 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 comprises a single spray shaper 25 and an associated inner nozzle 21. In other embodiments, the central sprayer 2 comprises two, three or more spray shapers 25 having an associated set of inner nozzles 21. These generate corresponding two, three or more sprays which together constitute the main spray 26. One or more spray shapers 25 can be manufactured as part of a single nozzle body 20. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment having two spray shapers 25 constituting the central sprayer 2. The peripheral nozzles 3 form a rectangular or rounded rectangular contour. They completely surround the central sprayer 2. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment having two spray shapers 25 constituting the central sprayer 2. The peripheral nozzles 3 form a contour of a part of an ellipsoid. They only partially surround the central sprayer 2. They surround more than three quarters of the main spray generated by the two spray shapers 25. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment having three spray shapers 25 constituting the central sprayer 2. The peripheral nozzles 3 form a contour of a part of an ellipsoid. They only partially surround the central sprayer 2. They surround approximately two thirds of the main spray created by the three spray shapers 25. The central sprayer 2 and the peripheral nozzles 3 are shown as being part of the outlet 1 having a handle. The arrangement of the peripheral nozzles 3 and the corresponding curtain formed by the peripheral spray 36 open towards the handle.

[0068] Figures 9 to 12 show the flow separation element 6, which is designed to be joined to the nozzle body 20. When joined to the nozzle body 20, the flow separation element 6 provides separate fluid supplies to a first subset 61 and a second subset 62 of the inner nozzle 21 (see Figure 13). The flow separation element 6 covers the part of the nozzle body 20 where there is an inlet to the inner nozzle 21. For the first subset 61 of the inner nozzle 21, it provides a further inlet 63 or a channel 66 that establishes a fluid connection to the flow separation element 6, rather than from the inlet 54 of the supply chamber 4. For the second subset 62, it provides a channel or recess 64 that establishes a fluid connection between the second subset 62 and the supply chamber 4. The joint surface 65 of the flow separation element 6 is shaped to match the outer profile of the nozzle body 20 at the corresponding joint surface 65' around the inlet to the inner nozzle 21. In this way, the flow separation element 6 is joined to the nozzle body 20, and the flow separation element 6 provides channels as described and blocks the flow from the supply chamber 4 to the first subset 61.

[0069] The recess 67 of the flow separation element 6 is shaped to correspond to the protrusion 67' of the nozzle body 20 so as to establish a relative orientation defined between the flow separation element 6 and the nozzle body 20 during assembly with respect to rotation about the longitudinal axis 29 of the nozzle body 20. More generally, the alignment elements of the flow separation element 6 are arranged to engage with the alignment elements of the nozzle body 20.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described in this embodiment, it is clearly understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be embodied and implemented in various other ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An outlet (1) for spraying a liquid such as water or an aqueous mixture, - A central sprayer (2) configured to generate a main spray (26) of the liquid, the central sprayer (2) comprising a set of at least two inner nozzles (21) arranged to generate a colliding jet of the liquid and thereby generate a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper (25) for guiding and shaping the spray of droplets; - A set of peripheral nozzles (3) configured to generate a peripheral spray (36) of the liquid, the peripheral spray (36) at least partially surrounding the main spray (26), the set of peripheral nozzles (3); The outlet (1) comprising.

2. The outlet (1) according to claim 1, comprising a supply chamber (4), wherein both the central sprayer (2) and the peripheral nozzles (3) are configured to be supplied with liquid from the supply chamber (4).

3. The central sprayer (2) and the peripheral nozzles (3) are dimensioned such that the total flow rate through all the peripheral nozzles (3) is 0.2 to 1.6 times, particularly 0.4 to 1.1 times, the flow rate through the central sprayer (2). More particularly, the total flow rate through all the peripheral nozzles (3) is at least approximately the same as the flow rate through the central sprayer (2). The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

4. The peripheral nozzles (3) form a part of a ring or a complete ring, particularly a part of a circle or a complete annulus, around the central sprayer (2). The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

5. For each of the peripheral nozzles (3), its longitudinal axis is offset by less than 20 degrees, particularly less than 10 degrees, from the longitudinal axis of the central sprayer (2). More particularly, it is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central sprayer (2). The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. The average distance of the peripheral nozzles (3) from the longitudinal axis of the central sprayer (2) is 7 to 18 millimeters, particularly 9 to 14 millimeters, more particularly 11 to 12 millimeters. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising 40 to 120 peripheral nozzles (3), in particular 50 to 80 peripheral nozzles (3), and more particularly at least about 60 to 70 peripheral nozzles (3).

8. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total area of the peripheral nozzles (3) is less than 2 times or 1.1 times or 1 time or 0.9 times the total area of the inner nozzles (21).

9. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner diameter of the peripheral nozzles (3) is 0.05 to 0.35 millimeters, in particular 0.15 to 0.25 millimeters.

10. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner diameter of the inner nozzles (21) is 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, and in particular at least about 0.8 mm.

11. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central sprayer (2) comprises two or four or more inner nozzles (21), and in particular these inner nozzles (21) have a common collision point (22).

12. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle between the inner nozzles (21) and the longitudinal axis of the spray shaper (25) is 65 to 90 degrees, in particular 70 to 80 degrees, and in particular at least about 75 degrees.

13. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central sprayer (2) having the inner nozzles (21) and the skirt (31) having the peripheral nozzles (3) are manufactured as a single part, in particular as a single part of a plastic material.

14. The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral nozzles (3) are manufactured by perforation.

15. Designed for an operating pressure of the liquid between 1 and 6 bar and a total flow rate of the main spray (26) and the peripheral spray (36) between 2 and 4 liters per minute, in particular between 2.5 and 3.5 liters per minute, of the outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. Comprising a flow separation element (6), the flow separation element (6) - comprises at least one further inlet (63) for supplying the liquid to be sprayed, - When joined to the central sprayer (2), it forms a liquid communication (66) from the at least one further inlet (63) to a first subset (61) of the inner nozzles (21) and does not form a liquid communication to a second subset (62) of the inner nozzles (21). The outlet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. A flow separation element (6) for use in combination with a central sprayer (2) configured to generate the main spray (26) of the liquid, the central sprayer (2) comprising at least two nozzle sets of inner nozzles (21), each nozzle set comprising at least two inner nozzles (21) arranged to generate an impinging jet of the liquid, thereby generating a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper (25) for guiding and shaping the spray of droplets. The flow separation element (6) comprises at least one further inlet (63) for supplying the liquid to be sprayed. When the flow separation element (6) is joined to the central sprayer (2), it forms a liquid communication (66) from the at least one further inlet (63) to a first subset (61) of the inner nozzles (21) and does not form a liquid communication to a second subset (62) of the inner nozzles (21). Flow separation element (6).

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