GB2244013A - An actuator for a dispensing container - Google Patents

An actuator for a dispensing container Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2244013A
GB2244013A GB9010884A GB9010884A GB2244013A GB 2244013 A GB2244013 A GB 2244013A GB 9010884 A GB9010884 A GB 9010884A GB 9010884 A GB9010884 A GB 9010884A GB 2244013 A GB2244013 A GB 2244013A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
actuator
insert
grooves
central
dispensing container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9010884A
Other versions
GB9010884D0 (en
Inventor
Simon Ely
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Consort Medical PLC
Original Assignee
Bespak PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bespak PLC filed Critical Bespak PLC
Priority to GB9010884A priority Critical patent/GB2244013A/en
Publication of GB9010884D0 publication Critical patent/GB9010884D0/en
Publication of GB2244013A publication Critical patent/GB2244013A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/0005—Components or details
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/34—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl
    • B05B1/3405—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl
    • B05B1/341—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet
    • B05B1/3421—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber
    • B05B1/3431—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber the channels being formed at the interface of cooperating elements, e.g. by means of grooves
    • B05B1/3436—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to influence the nature of flow of the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to produce swirl to produce swirl before discharging the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. in a swirl chamber upstream the spray outlet with channels emerging substantially tangentially in the swirl chamber the channels being formed at the interface of cooperating elements, e.g. by means of grooves the interface being a plane perpendicular to the outlet axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/28—Nozzles, nozzle fittings or accessories specially adapted therefor

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Abstract

An actuator for a dispensing container comprises a housing (2) defining a bore (3) which receives, in use, a valve stem of the dispensing container. The housing (2) also defines a cylindrical recess (5) and means (15) communicating between the recess (5) and the bore (3). The cylindrical recess (5) has a cylindrical projecting portion (13) located coaxially which defines an annular chamber (4). The projecting portion (13) has an end face (14) which is provided with three non-radial grooves (6) communicating with a central indent (7) of circular cross-section. The grooves (6) are arranged tangentially with respect to the circumference of the indent (7). The end face (14) is overlaid by an insert (11). The insert (11) is sealingly received in the cylindrical recess (5) and co-operates with end face (14) to define a swirl-inducing chamber. <IMAGE>

Description

AN ACTUATOR FOR A DISPENSING CONTAINER The present invention relates to an actuator for a dispensing container of the type having a dispensing valve actuated by depression of a tubular valve stem through which fluid is dispensed, the actuator being connected to the stem and defining a spray nozzle from which fluid emerges in aerosol form.
Actuators are known for this purpose in many forms but it has been found that the spray pattern of fluid emerging from some of the actuators tends to form an annular spray pattern having a central region where no fluid is sprayed. This so called "hole" in the centre of the spray pattern occurs because there is only a minimal axial flow of fluid emerging from the centre of the nozzle.
According to the present invention there is provided an actuator for a dispensing container comprising a housing defining a bore receiving, in use, a valve stem of the dispensing container, the housing also defining a cylindrical recess and means communicating between the recess and the bore, the cylindrical recess having a cylindrical projecting portion located coaxially therein to define an annular chamber, the projecting portion having an end face which has a plurality of non-radial grooves communicating with a central indent, an insert is sealingly received in the cylindrical recess such that the grooves and central indent are overlaid by the insert to define a swirl-inducing chamber therebetween, the insert having a central outlet orifice which is aligned with the central indent to define a spray nozzle and wherein the grooves in the projecting portion are ramped such that the depth of the grooves decreases towards the central indent.
An advantage of such ramped grooves is that in combination with the insert they define ducts which impart a component of velocity to dispensed fluid in the direction of the nozzle axis to thereby enhance axil flow of dispensed fluid.
Preferably, the angle of slope of the ramped grooves lies within the range 100 to 500.
Preferably, the insert has a central domed portion defining a tapered throat of the outlet orifice. An advantage of such a taper is that flow of dispensed fluid is further controlled.
Preferably, the taper of the throat on the insert lies within the range 600 to 1200 inclusive.
Preferably, the insert is formed from stamped metal sheet. This provides a sharp edge to the orifice so that the orifice is sharply defined. It is also thought that such a sharp edge improves the break up of dispensed liquid into a wider spray area.
Preferably the number of grooves is 2 to 6.
Preferably, the insert is formed from plastic.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an actuator according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken in direction A-A of the actuator in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the cylindrical projecting portion in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the insert in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the actuator in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the actuator 1 comprising a housing 2 in which only the mouth of a cylindrical recess 5 from which fluid is dispensed in spray form and a directional indicator 10 can be seen.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view in direction A-A of the actuator in Fig. 1 and comprises a generally cylindrical housing 2 of plastics material defining a bore 3 coaxial with the axis of the cylindrical housing 2 which receives, in use, a valve stem (not shown) of the dispensing container.
The housing 2 also defines a substantially cylindrical recess 5 disposed at 900 to the bore 3 communicating with the bore 3 via a duct 15. The cylindrical recess 5 has a cylindrical projecting portion 13 located coaxially which defines an annular chamber 4. The projecting portion 13 has an end face 14 which is provided with three non-radial grooves 6 communicating with a central indent 7 of circular cross section. (Fig. 3 shows the grooves 6 and indent 7 clearly in perspective). The grooves 6 are arranged tangentially with respect to the circumference of the indent 7.
The end face 14 is overlaid by an insert 11 which is a metal stamping in the form of a disc. The insert 11 is sealingly received in the cylindrical recess 5 and cooperates with the end face 14 to define a swirl-inducing chamber in which the grooves define ducts leading to a central swirl cavity. The insert 11 has a central outlet orifice 8 which is aligned with the central indent 7.
The grooves 6 are ramped such that their depth decreases towards the central indent 7 and the slope of ramp lies within the range 100 to 500.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the central projecting portion 13 with grooves 6 and central indent 7.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of insert 11 in which it can be seen that there is central domed portion 9 in the insert 12 which defines the central outlet orifice 8. By manufacturing the insert from metal sheet one is able to produce an insert with sharp edges which is particularly important in the region of the outlet orifice 8. The insert is also provided with a cylindrical rim 12 which seals against the walls of the cylindrical recess 5.
The central outlet orifice 8 and central indent 7 define an outlet axis X which is coaxial with the central projecting portion 13 and extends radially outwardly from the axis Y of the housing 2. It can be seen that the domed portion 9 tapers in a direction away from the axis Y of the housing 2. The angle of taper of the domed portion 9 lies within the range 600 to 1200 inclusive.
In use, the actuator 1 is positioned over the valve stem of a dispensing container such that the stem is located in the bore 3. When the actuator is depressed fluid will be released from the container and will flow into the bore 3. Fluid will then pass into the annular chamber 4 and into the three grooves 6 in the central projecting portion 13. The grooves 6 are ramped such that their depth decreases progressively in a direction towards the central indent 7 and this results in the fluid flowing from the annular chamber 4 acquiring an axial component of velocity parallel to axis X on entry to central indent 7. In addition, a rotational velocity is imparted to the flow within central indent 7, these features combined tend to reduce the "hole" phenomenon often found in spray patterns emerging from known actuators. The fluid emerges from the central outlet orifice 8 in the form of a spray.
The actuator may be alternatively provided with any other number of grooves between 2 and 6.
The actuator may be used with pressurised or non-pressurised containers and, furthermore, the actuator could be used with both liquified gases, e.g CFC and Hydrocarbon propellants as well as compressed gas propellants, e.g C02 or Nitrogen.

Claims (8)

1. An actuator for a dispensing container comprising a housing defining a bore receiving, in use, a valve stem of the dispensing container, the housing also defining a cylindrical recess and means communicating between the recess and the bore, the cylindrical recess having a cylindrical projecting portion located coaxially therein to define an annular chamber, the projecting portion having an end face which has a plurality of non-radial grooves communicating with a central indent, an insert is sealingly received in the cylindrical recess such that the grooves and central indent are overlaid by the insert to define a swirl-inducing chamber therebetween, the insert having a central outlet orifice which is aligned with the central indent to define a spray nozzle and wherein the grooves in the projecting portion are ramped such that the depth of the grooves decreases towards the central indent.
2. An actuator as claimed in Claim 1 in which the angle of slope of the ramped grooves lies within the range 100 to 500.
3. An actuator as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the insert has a central domed portion defining a tapered throat of the outlet orifice.
4. An actuator as claimed in Claim 3 in which the taper of the throat lies within the range 300 to 600.
5. An actuator as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the insert is formed from stamped metal sheet.
6. An actuator as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the insert is formed from plastic.
7. An actuator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the number of grooves is 2 to 6.
8. An actuator for a dispensing container substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB9010884A 1990-05-15 1990-05-15 An actuator for a dispensing container Withdrawn GB2244013A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9010884A GB2244013A (en) 1990-05-15 1990-05-15 An actuator for a dispensing container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9010884A GB2244013A (en) 1990-05-15 1990-05-15 An actuator for a dispensing container

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9010884D0 GB9010884D0 (en) 1990-07-04
GB2244013A true GB2244013A (en) 1991-11-20

Family

ID=10676032

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9010884A Withdrawn GB2244013A (en) 1990-05-15 1990-05-15 An actuator for a dispensing container

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2244013A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2766095A4 (en) * 2011-10-12 2015-06-03 Aptargroup Inc Fan spray structure for use in dispensing actuator
CN106163672A (en) * 2014-03-24 2016-11-23 Dlh鲍尔斯公司 For producing the swirl nozzle assembly with the improvement that efficient mechanical is broken up of uniform spray of small

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB207575A (en) * 1922-07-26 1923-11-26 Simplex Fuel Oil Engineering C Improvements in and relating to spray burners
GB472381A (en) * 1937-03-22 1937-09-22 Pietro Del Genovese Improvements in ejector heads of burners, atomizers and similar nozzles
GB584060A (en) * 1944-12-18 1947-01-06 Lucas Ltd Joseph Improvements relating to liquid fuel nozzles
GB641157A (en) * 1948-09-08 1950-08-02 Pest Control Ltd An improved spray nozzle
GB1311801A (en) * 1970-01-16 1973-03-28 Spectus Oil Burners Fluid atomisers
GB1503471A (en) * 1975-09-23 1978-03-08 Lechler Apparatebau Kg Hollow-cone nozzle for atomising liquids
GB1511143A (en) * 1974-05-03 1978-05-17 Aerosol Inventions Dev Spray tips for aerosol dispensers
EP0000688A2 (en) * 1977-08-02 1979-02-07 Winfried Jean Werding Atomizing nozzle

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB207575A (en) * 1922-07-26 1923-11-26 Simplex Fuel Oil Engineering C Improvements in and relating to spray burners
GB472381A (en) * 1937-03-22 1937-09-22 Pietro Del Genovese Improvements in ejector heads of burners, atomizers and similar nozzles
GB584060A (en) * 1944-12-18 1947-01-06 Lucas Ltd Joseph Improvements relating to liquid fuel nozzles
GB641157A (en) * 1948-09-08 1950-08-02 Pest Control Ltd An improved spray nozzle
GB1311801A (en) * 1970-01-16 1973-03-28 Spectus Oil Burners Fluid atomisers
GB1511143A (en) * 1974-05-03 1978-05-17 Aerosol Inventions Dev Spray tips for aerosol dispensers
GB1503471A (en) * 1975-09-23 1978-03-08 Lechler Apparatebau Kg Hollow-cone nozzle for atomising liquids
EP0000688A2 (en) * 1977-08-02 1979-02-07 Winfried Jean Werding Atomizing nozzle

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2766095A4 (en) * 2011-10-12 2015-06-03 Aptargroup Inc Fan spray structure for use in dispensing actuator
US10112767B2 (en) 2011-10-12 2018-10-30 Aptargroup, Inc. Fan spray structure for use in dispensing actuator
CN106163672A (en) * 2014-03-24 2016-11-23 Dlh鲍尔斯公司 For producing the swirl nozzle assembly with the improvement that efficient mechanical is broken up of uniform spray of small
US10130960B2 (en) 2014-03-24 2018-11-20 Dlhbowles, Inc. Swirl nozzle assemblies with high efficiency mechanical break up for generating mist sprays of uniform small droplets
CN106163672B (en) * 2014-03-24 2020-03-03 Dlh鲍尔斯公司 Improved swozzle assembly with high efficiency mechanical break-up for producing uniform small droplet spray

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9010884D0 (en) 1990-07-04

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)