1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to nozzles for containers or the like, and more specifically to an automatic shut-off liquid dispensing nozzle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Automatic shut-off liquid dispensing nozzles are generally well known in the art of which U.S. Pats. Nos. 1,689,066, 2,420,341 and 2,582,195 are exemplary. One of the disadvantages of the nozzle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,689,066 is that the valve plate can be inadvertently left in its open position and some liquid may be dispensed through the nozzle if the container is tilted before the nozzle is inserted into the receptacle. Also once the valve plate latch is released by the rising liquid in a receptacle, the construction of the valve mechanism is such that it is questionable whether the liquid flow will generate sufficient force to move the valve plate into a valve closed position quickly enough to prevent overfilling the receptacle.
The automatic shutoff nozzles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,420,341 and 2,582,195 are of complicated design and construction containing many moving parts manufactured to close tolerances and hence are too expensive to manufacture for some applications.
Applicant's improved liquid dispensing nozzle is believed to obviate these and other disadvantages of the prior art nozzles.