GB2601392A

GB2601392A - Dispensing head and dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2601392A
Application number: GB2108203.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Worton Ian; Karl Neath Peter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-09-30
Filing date: 2021-06-08
Publication date: 2022-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-08
Also published as: WO2022069850A1; GB202015443D0; GB202108203D0; GB2601392B

Abstract

A dispensing head 11 for securing to an outlet of a container 13, comprises; a body portion 15 defining a through-bore 24 for flow of flowable material therethrough; a contact surface 29 for sealingly engaging the container outlet; a closure member 18 for resisting flow of flowable material when in a first, closed position and allow flow when in a second, open position; an air pump 17 with an air chamber 41 positioned externally of the container, the body portion having an airflow passage 21 which communicates between the air pump chamber and an air flow outlet 39 to introduced air into the container by operation of the air pump; and a second passage 50 through which fluid may flow, having an outlet end in communication with the external environment when the closure member 18 is in the closed position, and incorporating a valve member 51 controlled by movement of the closure member whereby when the closure member is closed the valve member is held open to allow flow of fluid through the second passage 50. The dispensing head is intended for use with a constant volume container such as a glass bottle.

Description

Dispensing Head And Dispenser This invention relates to a dispensing head for dispensing non-solid material from a fixed volume container and to a dispenser comprising the combination of the dispensing head and a container of flowable material.

The invention relates in particular but not exclusively to a dispensing head for dispensing flowable material, such as sauces and other condiments, cosmetics, adhesives or pastes from a rigid container, such as a glass bottle or metal can.

Particularly in the case of sauces and other condiments it is known to utilise a container which is deformable whereby the container contents may be dispensed by careful squeezing of the container to urge the contents to flow through a container outlet.

In some cases the deformable container has an outlet in the form of a nozzle which incorporates a simple valve member that deforms to allow dispensing of a required quantity of contents but then presents a seal to assist in containing the remaining contents within the container. In such constructions typically a cap component is provided for positioning over the valve after a required quantity of contents have been dispensed. In alternative constructions there is no valve member and a cap component is provided to fit over an outlet aperture, such as a non-deformable outlet aperture.

The use of a container which is deformable hitherto has been considered advantageous and preferable to a rigid, non-deformable container because it facilitates good control of flow of contents from the container. That flow generally can be successfully controlled by the degree to which the deformable container is squeezed. Thus there is avoided the problem associated with dispensing from a rigid container, such as a glass bottle containing ketchup or other such condiments, of the bottle needing to be shaken to urge the contents from the bottle. Control of the quantity being dispensed from a rigid container is not easily achieved.

However provision of a deformable container typically requires the use of a plastics material. Whilst that may be environmentally acceptable in the case of containers that are specifically intended for repeated use, in general the containers for many products such as sauces and other condiments are single use containers. It is now increasingly recognised that there is an attendant adverse environmental impact arising from the very large number of deformable plastic containers which have no significant re-cycling value or potential for re-cycling.

A proposal for enabling the functional benefits of ease of use of deformable plastic containers without the need to form the containers from deformable plastics material is set forth in the specification of our UK patent application GB 2576611A.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved dispensing head which enables the functional benefits of ease of use of deformable plastic containers to be achieved without the need to form the containers from deformable plastics material and to avoid a requirement to decant material from an original container to another for the a of subsequently dispensing smaller quantities.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a dispensing head for securing to an outlet of a container of flowable material to dispense flowable material from the container comprises a body portion which defines a through-bore for flow of flowable material therethrough from the container, a contact surface for sealingly engaging with the outlet region of the container, a closure member for resisting the flow of flowable material through said through-bore when the closure member is in a closed position and to allow the flow of flowable material through the through-bore when in an open position, and an air pump comprising an air chamber and positioned, when in use, externally of the container, said body portion having associated therewith or defining an airflow passage which communicates between the air pump chamber and an air flow outlet from which air can be introduced into the container by operation of the air pump, said dispensing head comprising a second passage through which fluid may flow, said second passage having an outlet end which, in use of the dispensing head, is in communication with the environment external of the dispensing head when the closure member is in the closed position and said second passage incorporating a valve member which is controlled by movement of the closure member whereby when the closure member is in a first position to resist the flow of flowable material through the through-bore the valve member is held in an open position to allow flow of fluid through said second passage.

The second passage may extend between the air chamber and said outlet end. The second passage may extend through the body portion for direct communication with the air chamber of the air pump. Thus air may flow directly from the air passage and through the second passage to the external environment when the closure member is in the first, closed position The valve member may reside in a closed position to inhibit flow of fluid through the second passage when the closure member is in a second, open, position at which it allows flow of flowable material through the through-bore.

The valve member preferably is of a self-closing type whereby it tends inherently to I flow of fluid through said second passage in the absence of applied force.

The dispensing head may comprise control means whereby when the closure member is moved to said first, closed position the valve member is moved from a closed to an open position.

The valve member and closure member may each comprise an abutment surface, said abutment surfaces being positioned to come into contact with one another at least when the closure member is moved to said first, closed position thereby to move the valve member to an open position and thus allow flow of fluid through said second passage.

Although the closure member is provided to resist flow of flowable material through the through-bore when in closed position, preferably the closure member defines a fluid outlet whereby, when the closure member is in the closed position, fluid may flow through said second passage and exit from the dispensing head via said outlet. Thus when the closure member is closed the valve in the second passage ensure that any pressurised air within the air pump chamber is vented to atmosphere and that the air pump chamber cannot be adversely pressurised. Additionally any liquid, such as water condensate, which might otherwise accumulate within the air pump chamber is free to drain from the chamber when the closure member is in the closed position.

The body portion and/or closure member may define a base for resting on a table or other such support surface.

Preferably the second passage of the air pump chamber communicates with the chamber at a position of the chamber closer to said base than other positions within the chamber. Accordingly any condensate within the chamber will inherently tend to drain from the chamber when the closure member is in a closed position and a dispensing head is resting on a substantially horizontal surface. However that is not an essential feature and the second passage need not be adapted to serve as a drain for condensate. If considered necessary the dispensing head may comprise a selectively openable third passage for drain of condensate.

Although said second passage may serve to allow air to enter the air pump chamber during operation of the air pump, the air pump may be provided with a primary air ssage that incorporates a one-way valve and facilitates speedier entry of air into the chamber than the speed of entry via the second passage and inhibit flow in a reverse direction.

The second passage may have associated therewith a valve member of the self-closing type. The valve member may be formed as a single component of unitary construction. It may be formed from a resilient material such as elastomeric material. Alternatively it may, for example, comprise two or more components.

The valve member may comprise a closure section for sealingly engaging with the mouth region of the second passage where it enters the air pump chamber when the closure member is in the open position, a stem section that extends through the second passage and a biasing section that bears against the body section in the region of the other end of the second passage to normally resiliently bias the valve closure section into sealing engagement with the mouth region of the second passage. Said resiliency of the biasing section accordingly allows the stem section and the closure section of the valve member to move and lift the closure section from contact with the mouth region of the second passage when the valve member is caused to move as a consequence of movement of the closure member to the closed position. The biasing section may, for example, comprise a formation in the form of a leaf spring or be of a concertina or cup like shape.

To allow fluid flow through the second passage it is taught that the stem section of the valve member should have a cross-sectional size less than that of the second passage.

At least one of the body portion and closure member may define a barrier which inhibits and thus may minimise any tendency for flow of flowable material in a direction from the through bore towards the second passage. The closure member and body portion may be provided with interengaging formations to serve as said barrier. The barrier may comprise substantially tubular wall surfaces defined respectively by the body portion and closure member and which interengage with one another to surround the outlet of the through bore when the closure member is in the closed position.

The air pump may be an integral part of the body portion. Alternatively it may be Le. It may be supported by the body portion.

Typically it will be convenient to supply air into the container from the air pump via the outlet region of the container, typically the so-called mouth of the container. However if that container is provided with or is manipulatable to provide one or more other openings, one or more of those may be employed for directing air from the pump into the container. In the case of a metal thin-walled can having an outlet for flow of flowable material (referred to herein also as "product") from the can, a second opening may be formed by puncturing the can to create an inlet aperture through which pressurised air from the air pump may be introduced into the can for dispensing product from the can. Similarly a plastics container may be formed with a second opening.

The air pump may comprise an actuation surface that is movable to result in the pump supplying air through the air flow passage and into the container. The actuation surface may be substantially rigid and movable against the action of biasing means or it may be defined by a member of deflectable flexible material. Preferably the actuation surface inherently tends to return to an original, non-deflected position subsequent to being deflected to supply air through the air flow passage. Alternatively return to the original position may be assisted by repositioning means, such as a mechanical or elastomeric spring.

The air pump may be of a toroidal shape. The pump may be positioned such that when the dispensing head is in contact with the outlet region of the container the toroidal air pump extends around, but is not necessarily in direct contact with, that part of the container, which is adjacent to the container outlet region.

The air flow passage may comprise or have associated therewith a one way valve to prevent or at least inhibit flow of air or other flowable material in a reverse direction from the container to the air pump. The air flow outlet may comprise a supply tube which, in use of the dispensing head, extends into the container, for example in a direction towards that end of the container furthest from the container outlet region. A one way valve may be provided at the end of the supply tube furthest from the dispensing head body portion.

The air supply tube of a dispensing head intended for use with a specific size or )f sizes of container optionally may extend within the container to a position close to that end of the container furthest from the outlet region of the container.

The outlet end of the air passage defined by the supply tube may face in a direction towards the outlet region of the container. Thus the air passage outlet is closer to the container outlet than the distal end of the tube.

The air supply tube may be substantially permanently secured to a part of the dispensing head or may be removable, for example for cleaning or for replacement by a tube of different length when the dispensing head is to be used with a container of a different size.

The outlet end of the air supply passage may comprise a one-way valve to prevent reverse flow from within the container towards the air pump. The outlet end may comprise a flap valve, which may be a valve of a type referred to as a bladder valve or pinch type valve, which expands when air is introduced under pressure into the container, but relaxes to reduce in internal volume when the air flow ceases.

Alternatively or additionally at least part of the length of the air flow passage, or an associated chamber, within a container may be of variable volume at a position where, in use, the passage or chamber is exposed to a pressure differential between the pressure in the container and the pressure within the air flow passage. The air supply tube may be a constant volume type of tube or may be of variable volume. If the air supply tube is of variable volume, preferably it inherently tends to adopt a minimum volume when in a relaxed condition and to inflate to a greater volume when the air pump is operated to create a flow of air into a container secured to the dispensing head. In consequence of use of an air flow passage or an associated chamber which is of variable volume, there is the advantage that subsequent to a required quantity of flowable material having been dispensed, any residual pressure in the container and potential tendency for further, continuing flow of material from the dispensing head is substantially avoided or at least reduced.

More generally the at least part of the length of the air flow passage, or an associated chamber, may be of variable volume and the air flow passage downstream of the part of variable volume may comprise a restriction, such as an e1-* -alve, whereby there is generated a pressure differential sufficient to ensure that the variable volume section will inflate whilst air is being introduced into an attached container.

The body portion may comprise a nozzle unit through which flowable material flows from the container towards the closure member, and beyond the closure member when that is in an open condition.

The nozzle unit may be integral with the body portion or may be a separate component that may be secured to and removed from the body portion. The air flow passage of the body portion may extend into the container via the nozzle unit.

The contact surface of the dispensing head for sealingly engaging with the outlet region of a container may be provided by the body portion or the nozzle unit. The contact surface may comprise a screw threaded formation which sealingly engages with a screw thread at the mouth region of the container and/or the contact surface may be a surface which is brought into sealing contact with the container, for example with the substantially planar outlet end face of the container when the dispensing head is screw fitted or otherwise secured to the container.

The container may be secured to the dispenser head as a friction fit.

The dispensing head may comprise one or more barbs to engage with and, optionally, also to secure a container to the dispensing head. A barb may comprise an air flow passage for flow of air into a container. For use with a container which is supplied with a sealing member instead, for example, a screw or snap fitted closure, the barb(s) may be adapted to puncture the sealing membrane.

The closure member may be formed integrally with the body portion or secured thereto. The closure member may be pivotally secured to the body potion. Alternatively the closure member may be selectively removable from and securable to the body portion.

The dispensing head may comprise a closure member of substantially rigid form. The closure member may be a screw fit onto the body portion, a click fit or hinged, and may be resiliently biased normally to lie in at least one of a first and second i. The closure member may exhibit an over centre type action whereby it resides in either a first or second position in the absence of applied force.

The dispensing head may comprise a support portion which extends away from the container-engaging contact surface of the body portion and allows an assembly of the dispensing head and a container to be stood upright on a support surface with the container in an inverted position. The support portion may be an integral part of the body portion.

The support portion may be provided in combination with the body portion and/or in combination with the closure member in an arrangement in which the closure member is deflected from an open to a closed position when the assembly of a container and dispensing head is placed on a support surface with the container inverted.

The dispensing head may be part of a dispenser comprising said dispensing head and a protective enclosure member within which the container may be located. The body portion may provide support for or be integral with the protective enclosure member. Particularly for use with glass containers the enclosure may be adapted to protect the container from damage. The enclosure member may be of a flexible material, which may be a resilient material, or may be rigid. Optionally an internal surface of a rigid enclosure member may be provided with cushioning material. An enclosure member may wholly or only partly surround the container.

An end region of the enclosure member furthest from the container mouth may be in the form of a cap. Said cap may be of a non-planar shape, for example of a domed shape, or comprise upstanding tabs, whereby it prevents the assembly of the dispensing head and container being stood with the container outlet region uppermost. Alternatively the cap may be independent of any enclosure member. Thus it may be employed in combination with a dispenser head and without use of an enclosure member.

The enclosure member may comprise viewing apertures or be transparent at least in part whereby the level of contents in the container may be viewed.

pensing head may be employed in a method of dispensing flowable material from a container of the constant volume type wherein the dispensing head of the invention engages with the mouth of the container and enables air to be admitted to within the container through the mouth of the container. The air pump may be battery powered.

The nozzle unit may have an outlet shaped to dispense material in a strip-like form which may, for example, be of a circular, rectangular or wave-like cross section The nozzle unit may be adapted to dispense material as a spray. The nozzle may comprise a plurality of outlets whereby a plurality of streams of material may be dispensed concurrently.

The dispensing head may have associated therewith a component which provides a visual indication that the air pump is operating correctly, for example a flag or deformable member which is externally visible in use of the dispensing head and which moves in response to an increase of air pressure.

Operation of the air pump may be arranged to provide an audible indication that the air pump is operating correctly. An audible indication may be provided by, for example a whistle or vibration of a reed. The audible signal may be created when pressure in a container attached to the dispensing head is increased by operation of the air pump and/or when that pressure reduces. The audible indication may be a musical tune.

The dispensing head may incorporate a light unit and the light unit may be arranged to illuminate when the air pump is operated. The light unit may be powered by a small solar panel, a battery, or in consequence of a device which generates power in response to movement of a component of the air pump or change of air pressure.

The invention provides also a dispenser assembly comprising a dispensing head of the invention having a body portion for sealingly engaging with the mouth of a container, such as the mouth of a rigid container, and an end member provided in combination with an enclosure which in use surrounds the container, said end member being adapted to prevent the container being stood upright with the outlet region uppermost.

Although the invention is directed particularly to a dispensing head for use with rigid containers that contain sauces and other such condiments for which deformable plastic containers typically are manufactured in very large quantities, the present invention may be employed also for the dispensing from rigid containers of flowable materials such as adhesives or other products and for which the volume production of containers is less than that for sauces and other condiments. It may be employed also for dispensing from deformable containers.

The dispensing head may be employed to inflate an inflatable body or apply pressure to a component, such as a piston, positioned within a container and which thereby causes flowable material to be dispensed from the container.

Although the present invention is particularly suitable for the dispensing of sauces and other such condiments that may be regarded as being of a paste-like form, it may be employed also for the dispensing of other, relatively fluid type condiments such as vinegar and oils.

A feature of the dispensing head and method of the present invention is that it enables a product to be dispensed without atomisation and without mixing with air.

Various features of the present invention including those aforedescribed and additional features will now be described in respect of embodiments directed to a so-called sauce pump suitable for use with non deformable bottles such as bottles of glass, metal or rigid plastics material.

An important objective of the dispensing head of this invention is to provide users with the functional advantage of squeezable plastic bottles for dispensing sauces or other flowable products in combination with the environmental benefit of purchasing glass bottles.

Embodiments of the present invention will now described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser assembly comprising a iispensing head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in combination with a container of flowable material; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing head of the assembly of Figure 1, with the closure member in a closed position; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 2 with the closure member in an open position; Figure 4 is a section of the line XX of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a section on the line YY of Figure 3; Figure 6 shows enlarged the region Z of Figure 2; Figure 7 shows enlarged the region Z of Figure 3; Figures 8a, b, and c show the shape of the valve member of Figures 6 and 7 respectively in a closed position, a partially open position and a fully open position; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the closure member of the dispensing head, Figure 10 is a front view of a dispensing head in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 11a is a perspective view of pad of the inflation tube of the dispensing head in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, and Figures llb and 11c are cross-sectional views on the line D -D of Figure 10 showing the tube respectively in a relaxed and in an inflated condition.

A dispenser assembly 10 (see Figure 1) comprises a dispensing head 11 secured to the mouth region 12 of a rigid container 13 of flowable material, such as a sauce or condiment, and a protective enclosure sleeve 14.

The dispensing head 11 (see Figures 2 and 3) comprises a body comprising a body portion 15 and a nozzle unit 16, a hand operable air pump 17 which is supported by the body portion 15 and the nozzle unit 16, and a closure member 18 which is pivotally secured to the body portion 15 at position 19.

Thanrizzle unit 16 provides location for an air supply tube 20, such as a rigid tube of stainless steel, that receives air from the pump 17 via a passage 21 in the body portion, via a chamber 22 defined by an annular space between the nozzle unit and body portion 15, and via a small passage 23 extending within the nozzle unit 16 from the chamber 22 to the lower end of the air supply tube 20. The upper end of the air supply tube is provided with a one-way valve 39.

The nozzle unit defines a through bore 24 and the lower, outlet end 25 of the nozzle unit 16 is provided with an annular barb 26 which locates against a shoulder 27 defined by the body portion thereby to secure the nozzle unit 16 to the body portion 15. Surfaces of the nozzle unit in contact with the body portion 15 may be provided with adhesive or sealant to minimise any risk of escape of pressurised air.

The closure member 18 is formed with a substantially planar outer face 28 which, when the closure member is in the closed position shown in Figure 2, serves as a base for resting the dispensing head, or combination of the dispensing head and a container of flowable material, on a support surface.

The closure member is formed with an abutment 38 (see Figure 9) that cooperates with the body portion to provide an over-centre action whereby the closure member is biased inherently either towards the closed position of Figure 2 or the open position of Figure 3.

The nozzle unit 16 is formed with a substantially cylindrically shaped container location section 29 and is adapted for frictionally engaging with the outer surface of the mouth region of a container 13. However, in an alternative construction it may comprise a screw thread to engage with a screw thread at the mouth region of the container.

At a position diametrically opposite the closure member pivot region 19 the closure member and the base unit are provided respectively with a protrusion 30 and a recess 31 (see Figures 2 and 3) whereby a closure member may be held by the body portion in a closed position in a click-fit manner. A tab section 32 of the closure member lies within a recess 33 of the body section when the closure member is in the closed position thereby to provide finger access and facilitate ease of deflection of the closure member to the open position of Figure 3.

sure member 18 is provided with a projection 35 which, in use, sealingly engages with an outlet aperture 25 at the lower end of the nozzle unit 16 when the closure member is in the closed position of Figure 2.

The air pump 17, supported by the body portion 15 and nozzle unit 16 is of a toroidal shape and is a tight fit around surfaces defined respectively by the nozzle unit and body portion. The pump is formed as a moulding of a flexible polymeric material, such as silicone rubber, and is provided with a one-way air inlet valve 40 through which air is drawn into the toroidal chamber 41 as defined by that space bounded by the flexible air pump material 17 when the air pump relaxes from a partly compressed configuration as shown by region B of Figure 3 to the condition shown in Figure 2.

The lower, outlet end 25 of the nozzle unit is provided with a cylindrically shaped sleeve 43 which, in the closed position of Figure 2 sits within a circumferentially extending recess 44 defined by the closure member. The sleeve 43 serves to inhibit migration of flowable material from the through bore in a direction towards the hinge region 19.

In addition to the air supply passage 21, the body portion is provided with a second passage 50 which extends from the air pump chamber 41 to allow fluid, such as air or condensate, to flow to between the body portion15 and closure member 18 when the latter is in the closed position.

To allow the pump to operate to generate air pressure the second passage 50 is provided with a valve member 51 that closes the passage 50 when the closure member 18 is in the open position of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 3, the valve member 51 is formed from resilient silicone rubber and is a push fit within the passage 50. The valve member 51 comprises a closure section 52 (see Figure 8a) for sealingly engaging with the mouth region 55 of the second passage 50 where it enters the air pump chamber 41 when the closure member 18 is in the open position, a stem section 53 that extends through the second passage, and a biasing section 54 that bears against the body portion in the region of the other end of the second passage resiliently to bias the valve closure section 52 into sealing engagement with the mouth region of the second passage.

>iliency of the biasing section accordingly allows the stem section and the closure section of the valve member to move and lift the closure section 52 from contact with the mouth region 55 of the second passage when the valve member is caused to move as a consequence of movement of the closure member to the closed position.

The biasing section 54 comprises a pair of limbs 57 that extend in diametrically opposite directions from the stem section. The limbs are angled relative to the length of the stem section such that when the valve is in situ in the passage 50 said limbs inherently tend to hold the closure section 52 in contact with the mouth region 55 of the passage 50 as seen in Figures 5 to 7.

The lower surface 60 of the valve defines an abutment surface which is engaged by and moved under the action of an abutment projection 62 of the closure member 18. Accordingly, when the closure member is moved to the closed position of Figure 2 the valve is deflected first to the shape shown in Figure 8b and then to that shown in Figure 8c, thus resulting in lifting of the closure section 52 from the mouth 55 of the passage 50.

In use of the dispenser, and with the closure member in the open position of Figure 3, pressure applied to the pump deflects the pump as shown at region B of Figure 3, the valve member 51 acting to close the second passage 50. When pressure on the is pump is released air is drawn into the pump chamber 41 through the inlet valve 40 ready for a repeated deflection of the pump to admit more air into the chamber and dispensing of flowable material from the outlet end 25 of the nozzle unit.

When the closure member is moved to the closed position of Figure 2 any residual air pressure in the chamber 41 vents though the open second passage 50. Additionally the membrane section C of the nozzle unit relaxes from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 2 thereby to relieve any residual pressure in the container 13 and reduce any tendency for flowable material to enter the air supply tube 20 if the one-way valve 29 is not fully closed. That relaxation of the membrane section C also minimises any tendency for flowable material to continue to flow from the nozzle outlet 25 when the air pump is relaxed.

To allow fluid flow through the second passage the stem section of the valve:r has a cross-section less than that of the second passage.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with reference to Figures 10, 11a, llb and 11c, a dispensing head is of a construction substantially similar to that of the first embodiment except in respect of the air supply tube 20 and one-way valve 39 that, in use of the dispensing head, extend within the container of flowable material.

In the second embodiment of the invention the air supply passage for flow of pressurised air from the air pump 17, passage 21 and chamber 22 is via an air flow tube 70 comprising a tubular moulded central section 71 of silicone rubber. One end of the central section 71 is bonded to a short length of stainless steel tube 72 that, in the assembled condition, locates with the small passage 23 of the nozzle unit 16.

The other end of the inflatable tube is integrally formed with a small one-way valve 73.

The inflatable tube 71 is inherently resiliently biased to be substantially of a C shape as shown in Figures lla and llb when in a relaxed condition. However when the air pump is operated to direct air to within a container the flexible tube 71 adopts the cross-section shown in Figure 11c. When the air pump ceases to be operated to pump air into the container the tube will inherently relax and tend to revert to the cross-sectional shape of Figure 11b and thereby reduce the residual pressure in the container. Thus there is achieved a reduction in any tendency for flowable material to continue to flow from the nozzle outlet 25 when the air pump is relaxed.

Although the aspects of the invention have been described in the embodiments and preceding text as relating primarily to a dispensing head having the combination of features of claim 1, it is to be understood that at least some features maybe provided in the context of a dispensing head having a different construction. One such feature that may be employed in a dispensing head that does not necessarily comprise the second passage and valve member of claim 1 is that of at least part of the length of the air flow passage, or an associated chamber, being of variable volume and wherein the air flow passage downstream of the part of variable volume comprises a restriction, such as an outlet valve, and wherein that part of the air flow passage is ------d to any pressure differential between the pressure within the container and me pressure within the air flow passage. In consequence in operation of the air pump there is generated a pressure differential sufficient to ensure that the variable volume section will inflate whilst air is being introduced into an attached container. When the air pump ceases to be operated to pump air into the container the part of variable volume will inherently relax and thereby reduce the residual pressure in the container such that there is achieved a reduction in any tendency for flowable material to continue to flow from the nozzle outlet.

Accordingly there is also provided a dispensing head for securing to an outlet of a container of flowable material to dispense flowable material from the container comprises a body portion which defines a through-bore for flow of flowable material therethrough from the container, a contact surface for sealingly engaging with the outlet region of the container, a closure member for resisting the flow of flowable material through said through-bore when the closure member is in a closed position and to allow the flow of flowable material through the through-bore when in an open position, and an air pump comprising an air chamber and positioned, when in use, externally of the container, said body portion having associated therewith or defining an airflow passage which communicates between the air pump chamber and an air flow outlet from which air can be introduced into the container by operation of the air pump, at least part of the length of the air flow passage, or an associated chamber, being of variable volume and wherein the air flow passage downstream of the part of variable volume comprises a restriction, such as an outlet valve, whereby in operation of the air pump there is generated a pressure differential sufficient to ensure that the variable volume section will inflate whilst air is being introduced into an attached container.

Having regard to the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a dispensing head that enables users to enjoy the functional advantage of squeezable plastic bottles for dispensing flowable products, such as sauces and other condiments, along with the environmental benefits of purchasing the required product in a glass rather than a plastic bottle. A further advantageous feature is that versions of the invention allow product to be dispensed in a more controlled manner than when conventionally dispensing from rigid containers.

Claims

Claims.1. A dispensing head for securing to an outlet of a container of flowable material to dispense flowable material from the container comprises a body portion which defines a through-bore for flow of flowable material therethrough from the container, a contact surface for sealingly engaging with the outlet region of the container, a closure member for resisting the flow of flowable material through said through-bore when the closure member is in a first, closed position and to allow the flow of flowable material through the through-bore when in a second, open position, and an air pump comprising an air chamber and positioned, when in use, externally of the container, said body portion having associated therewith or defining an airflow passage which communicates between the air pump chamber and an air flow outlet from which air can be introduced into the container by operation of the air pump, said dispensing head comprising a second passage through which fluid may flow, said second passage having an outlet end which, in use of the dispensing head, is in communication with the environment external of the dispensing head when the closure member is in the closed position and said second passage incorporating a valve member which is controlled by movement of the closure member whereby when the closure member is in the first position to resist the flow of flowable material through the through-bore the valve member is held in an open position to allow flow of fluid through said second passage.
2. A dispensing head according to claim 1 wherein the second passage extends between the air chamber and said outlet end.
3. A dispensing head according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the valve member is operable to reside in a closed position to inhibit flow of fluid through the second passage when the closure member is in the second, open position at which it allows flow of flowable material though the through-bore.
4. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member is of a self-closing type wt ends inherently to restrain flow of fluid through the second passage in the absence of applied force.
5. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising control means whereby when the closure member is moved to said first, closed position the control means causes the valve member to move from a closed to an open position.
6. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member and closure member each comprise an abutment surface and wherein said abutment surfaces are positioned to come into contact with one another at least when the closure member is moved to said first, closed position and thereby move the valve member to an open position.
7. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure member defines a fluid outlet and wherein, when the closure member is in the closed position fluid may flow through said second passage and exit from the dispensing head via said fluid outlet.
8. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the body portion and the closure member defines a base for resting dispensing head on a support surface.
9. A dispensing head according to claim 8 wherein the second passage of the dispensing head communicates with the air pump chamber at a position of the chamber closer to said base than other positions within the chamber.
10. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispensing head comprises a selectively openable third passage for draining of condensate.
11. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispensing head comprises a primary air inlet passage to allow air to enter the air pump chamber during operation of amp.
12. A dispensing head according to claim11 wherein the primary air inlet passage and said second passage each serve to allow air to enter the air pump chamber during operation of the air pump.
13. A dispensing head according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the primary air inlet passage incorporates a one-way valve to permit flow of air only in a direction towards the air pump chamber.
14. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member of the second passage is of the self-closing type.
15. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member of the second passage is of a unitary construction.
16. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member of the second passage is formed from resilient material.
17. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member of the second passage comprises a closure section for sealingly engaging with the mouth region of the second passage where it enters the air pump chamber when the closure member is in the open position.
18. A dispensing head according to claim 17 wherein the valve member comprises a stem section that extends through the second passage and a biasing section that bears against the body section in the region of the other end of a second passage thereby to resiliently bias the valve closure section into sealing engagement with the mouth region of the second passage.
19. A dispensing head according to claim 18 wherein the resiliency of the biasing section allows the stem section and the closure section of the valve member to move and lift the closure section from cor:he mouth region of the second passage when the valve member is caused to move in response to movement of the closure member to the closed position.
20. A dispensing head according to claim 19 wherein the biasing section comprises a formation in the form of at least one of a leaf spring, a concertina shaped region and a cup shaped region.
21. A dispensing head according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the stem section of the valve member has a cross sectional size less than that of the second passage.
22. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the body portion and closure member defines a barrier that inhibits flow of flowable material in a direction from the through-bore towards the second passage.
23. A dispensing head according to claim 22 wherein the barrier comprises substantially tubular wall surfaces defined respectively by the body portion and the closure member and which inter-engage with one another to surround the outlet of the through-bore when the closure member is in the closed position.
24. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the air flow outlet from which air can be introduced into a container by operation of the air pump comprises or has associated therewith a one-way valve to inhibit flow of air or other flowable material in a reverse direction from a container to the air pump.
25. A dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least a part of the air flow passage or an associated chamber is of a variable volume at a position where, in use, the passage or chamber is exposed to a pressure differential between the pressure in the container and the pressure within the air flow passage.