Spuitmond

Spuitmond is the dispensing end of a fluid-delivery device, i.e., the nozzle or tip from which liquid exits. The term is Dutch and literally translates to “spray mouth.” In practice, spuitmond can refer to the end piece of devices ranging from medical syringes and spray bottles to agricultural sprayers and paint guns; in some contexts it is used interchangeably with spuitkop or nozzle.

The primary function of a spuitmond is to control the form of the emitted fluid. The shape and size of the orifice, and whether the output is a solid jet, a cone spray, or a fan spray, determine spray pattern, droplet size, and flow rate. Some spuitmonds are fixed, while others are adjustable to tailor the dispersion for a specific application. Common types include jet nozzles, cone nozzles, and spray nozzles with interchangeable orifices. Materials vary and may include plastics (such as polypropylene or polyethylene), stainless steel, or ceramics, chosen for chemical compatibility and ease of cleaning or sterilization.

Applications cover a wide range: medical devices (syringe tips, nebulizers, inhalers), cosmetics, agricultural and horticultural sprayers, and industrial coating or cleaning equipment. Maintenance typically involves regular cleaning to prevent clogging, appropriate sterilization for medical use, and timely replacement of worn or damaged spuitmonds to maintain performance and safety.

Safety and standards: devices with spuitmonds may be subject to regulation as medical devices, pesticide equipment, or consumer sprayers, with requirements concerning material safety, sterility, labeling, and compatibility with the dispensed substances. See also nozzle and spuitkop for related terminology.