Spray nozzle and carbonated water production device comprising same

Abstract

[Problem] To provide: a spray nozzle that, while having a simple structure, is capable of spraying a liquid that is sufficiently atomized; and a carbonated water production device that can, by comprising the spray nozzle, produce carbonated water having a high gas volume. [Solution] The present invention is a spray nozzle 100 comprising: a circulation pipe part 1 through which a liquid flows; a lid part 2 that is attached to an opening 10 at the leading end of the circulation pipe part 1; and an insert 3 disposed on a support part 11 provided in the circulation pipe part 1. A spray hole 20 is provided at the center of the lid part 2. A helically-notched linear section 32a is provided in the insert 3. The liquid is helically guided along the linear section 32a and is sprayed from the spray hole 20.

Description

Spray nozzle and carbonated water production device equipped with same

[0001] The present invention relates to a spray nozzle and a carbonated water production device equipped with the same, and more particularly to a spray nozzle for spraying liquid into the air and a carbonated water production device for producing carbonated water.

[0002] A spray nozzle is a nozzle that can spray a liquid into the air in the form of a mist. Spray nozzles are not only used to spray chemicals in agricultural and industrial fields, but in recent years have also been used to spray mist for humidification and cooling purposes using the latent heat of vaporization of water.

[0003] However, spray nozzles generally have the disadvantage that they must be replaced in their entirety if they break down, and that maintenance is difficult to perform. In response to this, spray nozzles using detachable tops have been developed. In these spray nozzles, the tops can be replaced as needed, and by removing the tops, maintenance can be easily performed.

[0004] A known example of a spray nozzle is a small, generally nozzle-shaped nozzle body attached to a nozzle tube having a longitudinal flow groove for pressurized air on its circumferential surface and a central flow hole for the spray material at its tip, the nozzle tube having a central outlet hole communicating with the flow hole, and a conically inclined tip surface having a plurality of outlet grooves recessed therein that allow the pressurized air supplied through the flow groove to be swirled and ejected toward the periphery of the tip outlet of the outlet hole; a nozzle head having a small nozzle hole drilled in its tip surface and a large fitting hole communicating with the nozzle hole; the nozzle tube is screwed and fixed into the fitting hole so that the outlet of the fitting hole is positioned coaxially with the nozzle hole at a slight interval and the conical inclined surface of the fitting hole is in close contact with the inner conical bottom surface of the fitting hole; and the nozzle body constructed as described above is attached to a nozzle main body having supply paths for the spray material and the pressurized air (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Also known is an injection nozzle in which the rear of the axial hole of a nozzle tube having an end wall at the front is limited by a wall, thereby forming a cylindrical chamber between the rear wall surface of the end wall and the front wall surface of the wall, an injection hole is formed through the end wall and an injection passage is opened in the front wall surface of the wall, and a cylindrical top is loosely inserted into the cylindrical chamber, and the top has a cavity concentric with its circumferential surface and a tangential groove formed in a tangential direction relative to the constant rotational direction of the top, and at least the front wall part of the top has a tangential groove connecting the circumferential surface of the top and the cavity in the tangential direction relative to the circumferential wall of the cavity (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0006] Also known is a spray nozzle that sprays a liquid and is configured with an external housing member and an internal piece member, in which the external housing member has a hollow portion that accommodates the internal piece member and an injection hole that is positioned downstream of the hollow portion in the flow of the liquid and that injects the liquid, and the internal piece member has a bulging portion that bulges out downstream in the flow of the liquid, and the inner wall surface of the hollow portion and the side surface of the bulging portion form a flow path for the liquid, and the width of the flow path narrows toward the downstream side of the flow of the liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0007] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-112366 Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 03-32959 Registered Utility Model No. 3172430

[0008] However, the spray nozzles described in the above Patent Documents 1 to 3 utilize a top, and therefore their structure is not sufficiently simple, and the sprayed liquid is not sufficiently atomized.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a spray nozzle that has a simple structure but is capable of spraying sufficiently finely atomized liquid, and a carbonated water production device that is equipped with the same and can produce carbonated water with a high gas volume.

[0010] The inventors discovered that the above problem could be solved by providing a lid and a top in addition to the flow pipe section, and by providing a spirally cut ridge section in the top and guiding the liquid to the ridge section, and thus completed the present invention.

[0011] The present invention relates to a spray nozzle for spraying a liquid, which comprises a flow pipe section through which the liquid flows, a lid section attached to the opening at the tip of the flow pipe section, and a top placed on a base section provided inside the flow pipe section, with a spray hole provided in the center of the lid section and a spirally cut-out ridge section in the top, so that the liquid is guided spirally along the ridge section and sprayed from the spray hole.

[0012] In the spray nozzle of the present invention, it is preferable that the top is a cylindrical shape with a bottom comprising a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, that a rib portion is provided on the side wall portion, and that the rib portion communicates with a space surrounded by the lid portion, the side wall portion, and the bottom wall portion.

[0013] In the spray nozzle of the present invention, it is preferable that a bulging portion bulging toward the space portion is provided at the center of the bottom wall portion.

[0014] In the spray nozzle of the present invention, it is preferable that a flow hole is provided in the center of the bottom wall portion, passing through the bulging portion in the direction of flow of the liquid.

[0015] In the spray nozzle of the present invention, it is preferable that the side wall portion is provided with a plurality of ridges, and that these ridges do not intersect with each other.

[0016] The present invention is a carbonated water production device that includes a sealed container filled with carbon dioxide gas and the above-mentioned spray nozzle for spraying water within the sealed container, and the spray pressure of the water in the spray nozzle is 0.3 to 5.0 MPa.

[0017] In the carbonated water production apparatus of the present invention, the spray nozzle is preferably arranged so as to spray water upward within the sealed container.

[0018] The spray nozzle of the present invention has an extremely simple structure, since it is provided with at least a flow pipe portion, a lid portion, and a top. In the spray nozzle, liquid flowing through the flow pipe portion is guided along the ribs of the top and sprayed from the spray hole. At this time, because the ribs are spiral-shaped, the liquid is guided toward the lid portion in a spiral shape and is forcibly sprayed from the spray hole while maintaining rotational moment, resulting in sufficient atomization. As a result, the spray nozzle of the present invention, despite its simple structure, is capable of spraying sufficiently atomized liquid from the spray hole.

[0019] Furthermore, when the top is cylindrical with a bottom, the space surrounded by the lid, side wall, and bottom wall is connected to the ribs on the side wall, allowing the liquid to flow into the space. The liquid that flows into the space is guided by the liquid guided to the ribs, and together with the liquid, forms a spiral and is guided toward the injection hole, where it is forcibly sprayed from the spray hole. This allows the liquid to be sufficiently atomized in the spray nozzle, and the amount of liquid sprayed can be increased.

[0020] In this case, by providing a bulge in the center of the bottom wall that bulges toward the space, the liquid that flows into the space is guided toward the lid by the bulge without stagnating in the space, making it easier for the liquid that flows into the space to be guided by the liquid that is guided to the rib.

[0021] In the spray nozzle of the present invention, a through hole is provided in the center of the bottom wall portion, penetrating the bulge portion in the direction of liquid flow, so that the liquid flows into the space portion not only from the ridge portion but also from the through hole, thereby making it possible to further increase the amount of liquid sprayed in the spray nozzle.

[0022] In the spray nozzle of the present invention, when the side wall is provided with a plurality of non-intersecting ribs, the liquid is swirled to a greater extent and guided toward the cover, where it is forcibly sprayed from the spray hole, thereby enabling the liquid to be more sufficiently atomized and the amount of liquid sprayed to be increased.

[0023] The carbonated water maker of the present invention is equipped with the above-mentioned spray nozzle, so that the water sprayed into the sealed container filled with carbon dioxide gas can be atomized. This increases the contact area between the water and the carbon dioxide gas, making it possible to produce carbonated water with a high gas volume.

[0024] In this case, by setting the spray pressure of the spray nozzle within the above range, the carbonated water maker can efficiently spray the atomized liquid over as wide a space as possible. Also, by positioning the spray nozzle so that the water is sprayed upward in the sealed container, the water is sprayed upward like a fountain, thereby maximizing the amount of time the water remains in the air. As a result, the carbonated water maker can produce carbonated water with a sufficiently high gas volume.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a spray nozzle according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the spray nozzle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view showing the top shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(b) is a schematic top view of the top shown in FIG. 3(a), FIG. 3(c) is a schematic side view of the top shown in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 3(d) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the top shown in FIG. 3(b) taken along line A-A. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a carbonated water production apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a top of a spray nozzle according to another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a top of a spray nozzle according to another embodiment.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as necessary. In the drawings, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are not limited to those shown.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a spray nozzle according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the spray nozzle shown in Fig. 1. The dashed lines in Fig. 1 indicate the internal structure through transparency. As shown in Fig. 1, the spray nozzle 100 is cylindrical overall, and is used to spray a liquid into the air in the form of a mist from a spray hole 20 provided at the tip.

[0028] Here, the type of liquid is not particularly limited, and it can be water-based or oil-based as long as it can be sprayed. The liquid may also contain additives such as colorants, preservatives, antibacterial agents, detergents, minerals, etc. Incidentally, in the carbonated water production device described below, water (drinking water) is used as the liquid. In this specification, the term "downstream side" refers to the downstream side in the direction of flow of the liquid, and the term "upstream side" refers to the upstream side in the direction of flow of the liquid. In the spray nozzle, the liquid flows toward the opening.

[0029] 1 and 2, the spray nozzle 100 includes a flow pipe 1 through which a liquid flows, a lid 2 that seals the tip of the flow pipe 1, and a top 3 that is built into the flow pipe 1. As described above, the spray nozzle 100 has an extremely simple structure, since it consists of the flow pipe 1, the lid 2, and the top 3. Furthermore, in the spray nozzle 100, the flow pipe 1, the lid 2, and the top 3 can be disassembled individually. That is, the lid 2 and the top 3 are detachable from the flow pipe 1.

[0030] In the spray nozzle 100, the liquid flows through the inside of the flow pipe portion 1, passes through the top 3, and is sprayed from the spray hole 20 in the cover portion 2. At this time, the liquid is guided along the ridge portion of the top 3, and as a result, is sufficiently atomized. Details of these will be described later. Therefore, the spray nozzle 100 has a simple structure, but is capable of spraying sufficiently atomized liquid.

[0031] The flow pipe section 1 is a cylindrical pipe having a flow section D formed therein through which a liquid can flow. The tip of the flow pipe section 1 is an open opening 10. In the spray nozzle 100, a supply source (not shown) for supplying liquid to the flow pipe section 1 is attached to the end (rear end) of the flow pipe section 1 opposite to the tip via a pipe (including a tube) or the like. The pipe may also be provided with a pump, a valve, or the like.

[0032] In the flow pipe section 1, the flow section D has a small diameter section D3 with a constant diameter from the rear end to the middle section, a medium diameter section D2 with a larger diameter than the small diameter section D3 from the middle section to the tip section, and a large diameter section D1 with a larger diameter than the medium diameter section D2 at the tip section. Between the small diameter section D3 and the medium diameter section D2 in the flow section D, there is a base section 11 with a tapered inverted truncated cone shape. The top 3 is placed on the base section 11. There is also a step between the medium diameter section D2 and the large diameter section D1. Therefore, the flow section D is formed in the following order from the upstream side: small diameter section D3, base section 11, medium diameter section D2, and large diameter section D1.

[0033] In the flow section D, a top 3 is disposed in the medium diameter section D2. That is, the top 3 is placed on a base section 11 provided inside the flow pipe section 1 and is disposed in the medium diameter section D2. In addition, a lid section 2 is disposed in the large diameter section D1. The lid section 2 is attached to the large diameter section D1 by press-fitting.

[0034] At this time, the downstream surface (the surface on the lid portion 2 side) of the side wall portion 32 of the top 3 arranged in the medium diameter portion D2 and the upstream surface (the surface on the top 3 side) of the lid portion 2 attached to the large diameter portion D1 are brought into contact with each other. As a result, the top 3 is fixed to the flow pipe portion 1 while being sandwiched between the base portion 11 and the lid portion 2. In the spray nozzle 100, even if the liquid flowing through the flow portion D of the flow pipe portion 1 collides with the bottom wall portion of the top 3 as it flows from the small diameter portion D3 to the medium diameter portion D2, the top 3 does not move because the top 3 is fixed to the flow pipe portion 1, and instead flows into the ridge portion 32a of the top 3, as will be described later.

[0035] The top 3 is built into the flow pipe portion 1. That is, as described above, it is attached to the medium diameter portion D2. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the top 3 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(b) is a schematic top view of the top 3 shown in FIG. 3(a), FIG. 3(c) is a schematic side view of the top 3 shown in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 3(d) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the top 3 shown in FIG. 3(b) taken along line A-A. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), the top 3 is a cylindrical shape with a bottom and composed of a bottom wall portion 31 and a side wall portion 32. The area surrounded by the lid portion 2, the side wall portion 32, and the bottom wall portion 31 that abuts against the top 3 forms a space portion S. That is, the top 3 is oriented so that the bottom wall portion 31 is upstream and the space portion S is downstream.

[0036] In the top 3, a rib portion 32a is provided in the side wall portion 32, which is cut in a spiral shape. The rib portion 32a is a single stripe cut obliquely along the circumferential direction of the side wall portion 32 from a predetermined position on the upstream surface of the side wall portion 32, and reaches the downstream surface of the side wall portion 32. In addition, the rib portion 32a communicates with the space portion S because the side wall portion 32 is a through space cut in the thickness direction.

[0037] In the spray nozzle 100, when the liquid flowing through the flow section D flows into the rib section 32a, it is guided in a spiral. A portion of the liquid also flows from the rib section 32a into the space section S. At this time, the liquid that flows into the space section S is guided by the flow of liquid guided by the rib section 32a. Therefore, the liquid flows through the top 3 in a spiral shape as a whole. Furthermore, since the flow rate of the liquid increases by the amount that flows into the space section S, the amount of liquid sprayed can be increased.

[0038] In the top 3, two rib portions 32a are provided, one on the side shown in FIG. 3(c) and the other on the opposite side. The structure of the rib portion on the opposite side is the same as the structure of the rib portion 32a shown in FIG. 3(c), and therefore will not be described here. The top 3 has two rib portions 32a that have the same directionality (diagonal directions at the same angle along the circumferential direction) and do not intersect with each other. Therefore, the liquid guided by these rib portions 32a is guided independently in a spiral without colliding with each other, resulting in a greater degree of vortexing of the liquid. Furthermore, the presence of two rib portions 32a increases the liquid flow rate, thereby increasing the amount of liquid sprayed.

[0039] In the top 3, the bottom wall 31 is disk-shaped with a mountain-like shape in a side view. That is, in the top 3, a bulge 31a is provided on the downstream side (space S side) of the bottom wall 31, the center of which bulges toward the space S. By providing the bulge 31a in the top 3, liquid that flows into the space S from the rib 32a does not stagnate near the bottom wall 31 of the space S, but is guided by the bulge 31a toward the lid 2, and is therefore more easily guided by the flow of liquid guided by the rib 32a.

[0040] Furthermore, in the top 3, a circular hole-shaped communication hole 31b is provided in the center of the bottom wall 31, penetrating the bulge 31a in the direction of liquid flow. In the spray nozzle 100, by providing the communication hole 31b in the bottom wall 31, the liquid not only flows into the space S from the ridge portion 32a, but also flows into the space S from the communication hole 31b. This increases the flow rate of the liquid in the spray nozzle 100, and therefore the amount of liquid sprayed can be increased.

[0041] 2, the lid 2 is attached to seal the opening 10 at the tip of the flow pipe 1. That is, as described above, it is attached to the large diameter portion D1. The lid 2 is disk-shaped and has a round spray hole 20 at its center that penetrates in the direction of liquid flow.

[0042] In the spray nozzle 100, the opening 10 of the flow pipe 1 is sealed by the lid 2 except for the spray holes 20, so that most of the liquid swirled by the top 3 temporarily remains on the lid 2 side of the space S and is then forcibly sprayed from the spray holes. This causes the liquid to be sufficiently atomized and sprayed only from the spray holes 20. In this case, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the spray holes 20 to the area of ​​the opening is preferably 0.1 to 20%. In this case, the liquid can be sufficiently diffused, so that it can be sufficiently atomized and an appropriate amount of liquid can be sprayed.

[0043] In the spray nozzle 100, the material of the flow pipe portion 1 can be stainless steel or a resin such as acrylic resin, polyacetal resin, or polypropylene resin. The material of the lid portion 2 and the top 3 can be a resin such as acrylic resin, polyacetal resin, or polypropylene resin. The materials of the flow pipe portion 1, the lid portion 2, and the top 3 may be the same or different. Incidentally, although the top 3 has the spiral rib portion 32a as described above, it does not have the flexibility of a spring.

[0044] Since the spray nozzle 100 can spray liquid that has been sufficiently atomized, it can be used in the carbonated water production device described below, as well as for spraying water, liquid fertilizer, pesticides, etc. in the agricultural field, spraying cleaning water and auxiliary agents in the industrial field, spraying water for humidifying living spaces, and spraying water for cooling using the latent heat of vaporization of water.

[0045] Fig. 4 is a schematic side view showing a carbonated water production apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the carbonated water production apparatus 101 includes a sealed container 4 having a carbon dioxide gas inlet means 41 and a carbonated water outlet means 42 and filled with carbon dioxide gas, the above-mentioned spray nozzle 100 for spraying water into the sealed container 4, a detection means 5 for detecting the upper and lower limits of the liquid level of the carbonated water stored in the sealed container 4, and a safety valve 6 for releasing the pressure inside the sealed container 4. The detection means 5 is a means for detecting the upper and lower limits of the liquid level of the carbonated water stored in the sealed container 4. The safety valve 6 is a valve for releasing the pressure inside the sealed container 4.

[0046] In the carbonated water production device 101, carbon dioxide gas is introduced into the sealed container 4 from a carbon dioxide gas introduction means 41 such as a gas cylinder. This fills the sealed container 4 with carbon dioxide gas. At this time, the pressure inside the sealed container 4 is preferably set to 0.1 MPa or higher, regardless of whether carbonated water is present or not.

[0047] Water is then sprayed from the spray nozzle 100 into the sealed container 4 filled with carbon dioxide gas. A supply source for supplying liquid, such as a water line, water purifier, or water conditioner, is attached to the rear end of the spray nozzle 100 via a pipe (including a tube), and water is supplied to the spray nozzle 100 from the supply source.

[0048] The carbonated water production device 101 is equipped with the above-mentioned spray nozzle 100, so that the water sprayed inside the sealed container 4 filled with carbon dioxide gas can be atomized. This increases the contact area between the water and the carbon dioxide gas, making it possible to produce carbonated water with a high gas volume. In addition, the spray nozzle 100 is positioned so that the water is sprayed upward inside the sealed container 4. This causes the water to be sprayed upward like a fountain, making it possible to maximize the amount of time the water remains in the air. In other words, the increased contact time between the water and the carbon dioxide gas makes it possible to produce carbonated water with a high gas volume. The produced carbonated water is stored inside the sealed container 4.

[0049] Here, the spray pressure of water in the spray nozzle 100 is preferably 0.3 to 5.0 MPa. The flow rate of water in the spray nozzle 100 is preferably 10 to 50 mL / s. The carbonated water stored in the sealed container 4 is then discharged to the outside of the sealed container 4 by the carbonated water discharge means 42. In the carbonated water production device 101, the gas volume of the carbonated water obtained is preferably 2 GV or more, and more preferably 5 GV or more.

[0050] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0051] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the top 3 is detachable from the flow pipe 1, but is not limited to this. For example, the top 3 and the flow pipe 1 may be integral, and the lid 2 may be detachable therefrom. Alternatively, the lid 2 and the top 3 may be integral, and this may be detachable therefrom. Alternatively, the flow pipe 1, the lid 2, and the top 3 may be integral.

[0052] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the flow section D is formed in the following order from the upstream side: small diameter section D3, seat section 11, medium diameter section D2, and large diameter section D1, but this is not limited to this. The tapered, inverted truncated cone-shaped section between the small diameter section D3 and the medium diameter section D2 is the seat section 11, but the shape of the seat section 11 is not limited to this. For example, the flow section D may be provided with an annular rib protruding inward, and this may serve as the seat section of the top 3.

[0053] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the top 3 is disposed in the medium diameter portion D2, and the cover portion 2 is press-fitted into the large diameter portion D1, but this is not limiting. For example, the top 3 may be attached to the flow pipe portion 1 by press-fitting, fitting, screwing, or the like.

[0054] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the downstream surface of the side wall portion 32 of the top 3 and the upstream surface of the lid portion 2 are in contact with each other, but this is not essential. However, even if they are not in contact with each other, it is preferable that the top 3 be fixed to the flow pipe portion 1.

[0055] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the top 3 has two spirally cut ridges 32a. However, this is not limited to this, and the top 3 may have one or three or more ridges 32a. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a top 3 of a spray nozzle according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the top 3a of the spray nozzle according to this embodiment has three ridges 32a1 cut out from the side wall. These ridges do not intersect with each other. In this top 3a, the three ridges 32a1 increase the liquid flow rate, thereby increasing the amount of liquid sprayed. In the top 3a, the flow rate is sufficient, so no flow holes are provided in the bottom wall 321. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the top 3 of the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment.

[0056] Furthermore, the rib portion 32a is formed by cutting out the side wall portion 32, but it may also be a simple groove portion. In this case, it is preferable to provide the groove portion with a hole that communicates with the space portion S. Note that the rib portion 32a is spiral-shaped, but any rib that does not extend vertically is included in this category because it can impart a rotational moment to the liquid.

[0057] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the two rib portions 32a are arranged so as not to intersect with each other, but they may intersect with each other. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a top of a spray nozzle according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a top 3b of the spray nozzle according to another embodiment has two rib portions 32a2 formed by cutting out the side wall, which intersect with each other. In this top 3b, since there are two rib portions 32a2, the flow rate of the liquid can be increased, and the amount of liquid sprayed can be increased. In addition, since the two rib portions 32a2 in the top 3b intersect with each other, turbulence can be generated. Note that no flow holes are provided in the bottom wall. Note that the other configuration is the same as the top 3 of the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment.

[0058] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the bulging portion 31a is provided on the bottom wall portion 31 of the top 3, but this is not essential. Furthermore, when the bulging portion 31a is provided, its shape is not limited to a mountain shape in side view.

[0059] In the spray nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the through holes 31b are provided in the bottom wall portion 31 of the top 3, but this is not essential. For example, as described above, when there are three or more ridge portions, the flow rate of the liquid is sufficient, so that the through holes 31b do not have to be provided.

[0060] The carbonated water production apparatus 101 according to this embodiment may be provided with a known cooling means for cooling the liquid to be introduced or the stored carbonated water. The carbonated water production apparatus 101 may also be provided with a pressure gauge for measuring the internal pressure of the sealed container 4, the carbon dioxide gas inlet means 41, the carbonated water outlet means 42, etc. The carbonated water production apparatus 101 may also be provided with a pressure reducing valve or a check valve attached to the carbon dioxide gas inlet means 41, the carbonated water outlet means 42, etc.

[0061] The spray nozzle of the present invention can be used as a device for spraying liquid in various fields. The spray nozzle has a simple structure, but is capable of spraying liquid that has been sufficiently atomized. The carbonated water maker of the present invention can be used as a device for producing carbonated water. The carbonated water maker can produce carbonated water with a high gas volume.

[0062] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Circulation pipe section 10... Opening 100... Spray nozzle 101... Carbonated water production device 11... Base section 2... Lid section 20... Spray hole 3, 3a, 3b... Top 31, 321... Bottom wall section 31a... Bulging section 31b... Circulation hole 32... Side wall section 32a, 32a1, 32a2... Ridge section 4... Sealed container 41... Carbon dioxide gas inflow means 42... Carbonated water outflow means 5... Detection means 6... Safety valve D... Circulation section D1... Large diameter section D2... Medium diameter section D3... Small diameter section S... Space section

Claims

1. A spray nozzle for spraying a liquid, comprising: a flow pipe section through which the liquid flows; a lid section attached to an opening at the tip of the flow pipe section; and a top placed on a base section provided inside the flow pipe section, wherein a spray hole is provided in the center of the lid section, and the top is provided with a spirally cut-out ridge section, so that the liquid is guided spirally along the ridge section and sprayed from the spray hole.

2. A spray nozzle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top is cylindrical with a bottom and made up of a side wall and a bottom wall, the rib is provided on the side wall, and the rib communicates with a space surrounded by the lid, the side wall, and the bottom wall.

3. A spray nozzle according to claim 2, wherein a bulge is provided at the center of said bottom wall portion, bulging toward said space portion.

4. A spray nozzle according to claim 3, wherein a flow hole is provided in the center of said bottom wall portion, passing through said bulging portion in the direction of flow of said liquid.

5. A spray nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a plurality of ridges are provided on the side wall, and these ridges do not intersect with each other.

6. A carbonated water production device comprising: a sealed container filled with carbon dioxide gas; and a spray nozzle according to claim 5 for spraying water into the sealed container, wherein the spray pressure of the water in the spray nozzle is 0.3 to 5.0 MPa.

7. The carbonated water producing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the spray nozzle is positioned so as to spray the water upward within the sealed container.

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