IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO PUMP ACTION NOZZLE DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements related to pump action nozzle devices. Pump action nozzle devices are commonly used as a means to deliver a liquid from inside non-pressurized containers. Conventional pump action nozzle devices are adapted to be coupled to an outlet opening of a container and comprise an internal chamber in which it is compressed when an actuator of the nozzle device is operated, thereby increasing the pressure inside. of the camera and forces any liquid present in it to flow out through an output of the device. Once the desired volume of liquid has been delivered or the chamber has been compressed to its maximum capacity, the actuator is then released by the operator and the chamber is allowed to expand again which causes the pressure to be reduced inside. of the chamber, which in turn causes more liquid to be extracted into the chamber from the associated vessel through an inlet. One-way valves are provided at the inlet and outlet to ensure that fluid can only be expelled from the internal chamber through the outlet and carried into the interior of the chamber through the inlet. The actuator is typically a portion of the nozzle device that can be depressed and subsequently released by an operator (generally known as pump nozzle devices), or a trigger that an operator can pull and then release (generally known as nozzle devices). activated by trigger) to cause the camera to compress and then expand again, respectively. There are numerous drawbacks related to • conventional pump action nozzle devices. First, conventional devices tend to be extremely complex in design and typically comprise many different constituent parts (usually between 8 and 10 individual components in pump nozzle devices and between 10 and 14 individual components in trigger nozzle devices ). As a consequence, these devices can be expensive to manufacture due to the amount of material that is required to form the individual components and the assembly procedure involved. Second, conventional devices tend to be bulky (which again increases raw material costs) and a proportion of this volume is invariably placed inside the container in which the device is attached. This generates the drawback that the nozzle device requires a proportion of the internal volume of the container, which can be a particular problem in small containers where the available space inside the container is limited. Finally, the size of the pump action device is also determined to some extent by the size of the container in which it is attached. In this way, the size of the device is usually limited to small containers, and especially small containers with narrow necks and limits the amount of pressure that can be generated by the device as well as the volume of fluid that can be supplied and, for this reason , can be detrimental to the operation of the device. Therefore, there is a desire for a pump action nozzle device which is: (i) of a simple design; (ii) use fewer components; and (iii) that it is generally less bulky and expensive to produce when compared to conventional pump action nozzle devices.
The present invention seeks to solve the aforementioned problems related to conventional pump action nozzle devices by providing, in a first aspect, a pump action nozzle device adapted to be coupled to a container and to allow the fluid stored in the container to flow into the container. Inside the container is supplied during use, the device has a body which defines: (i) an internal chamber; (ü) an outlet through which said fluid is supplied from the chamber and is expelled from the device, the outlet further comprises an outlet valve configured to open only and allow the fluid to be supplied from the chamber when the pressure in the same exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure; and (iii) an inlet through which fluid can be drawn into the interior of the chamber, the inlet further comprising a valve configured to open only and allow the fluid to be drawn into the interior of the chamber when the pressure inside the chamber it descends below the external pressure; wherein the body comprises a base portion and a housing portion, the base portion and the housing portions together define the internal chamber of the device and are slidably mounted on one another so that the housing portion can slide toward the base portion to reduce the internal volume of the chamber during a first stage of operation and in this way cause the pressure inside the chamber to increase and any fluid stored in it to be supplied through the outlet to be supplied when the pressure in it exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold pressure that is required to open the. outlet valve, and then it slides away from the base to increase the volume of the chamber during a second stage of operation and in this way causes the pressure inside the chamber to be reduced and the fluid to be drawn into the chamber through the inlet when the pressure inside the chamber drops below the external pressure. For the avoidance of doubt, the term "external pressure" is used herein to indicate pressure outside the device and may therefore include pressure in the surrounding environment (atmospheric pressure) or pressure within the container (which may differ from the atmospheric pressure). When compared with conventional pump action nozzle devices, the devices of the present invention are simpler in design / construction and comprise a reduced number of components. For example, it is common for the internal chamber of a conventional pump action nozzle device to be a part of a separate component of the device which engages in the nozzle device housing and typically extends into the interior of the container. However, in the nozzle devices of the present invention, there is no separate internal chamber component because the chamber is defined by the base and housing portions of the body. Similarly, the inlet and outlet valves, in the preferred embodiments, are defined by the nozzle distribution body and thus eliminate the need for numerous individual components to be present. This allows the nozzle operating device to be molded from a suitable material, such as plastic, and provides significant cost savings by reducing the amount of material "required to manufacture the devices as well as reducing construction / assembly costs. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the volume of the device can be significantly reduced and the camera can be placed outside the container (or substantially outside the container) and in this way the device is allowed to engage the openings of the containers of - -
virtually any size without the amount of pressure that can be generated is influenced by the size of the container and the limitations that this would impose on the dimensions of the device (as in the case of conventional nozzle devices). The nozzle device of the present invention can be adapted to be placed in a container by any suitable means. Preferably, it is the base portion of the nozzle device that is configured to be coupled to an opening of the container. In a preferred embodiment, the base comprises a cavity adapted to receive a corresponding neck of the container defining the opening of the container. The neck can be rotated in the cavity by any means of fixation. Preferably, the base is a threaded upper part which can be attached to an opening of the container (i.e., the neck of the container is provided with a screw thread which is adapted to be screwed into a groove that is formed in the inner wall. of the base, or vice versa). Preferably, the base also defines the input of the device. It is also preferred that the upper surface of the base (or a surface placed on the opposite side of the base to the surface which is configured to engage the container) forms an internal surface or wall of the chamber. More preferably, the inner surface is an end wall or surface which is placed outside the interior of the container. The remaining walls of the chamber are preferably formed by the housing, which is also preferably mounted on the upper surface in the base. As a consequence, it will be appreciated that the chamber is defined between the base and the housing will be substantially outside the container to which the base is attached. In this way, although a small portion of the device can extend into the interior of the container, it is preferred that substantially all of the internal chamber be positioned outside the container. Therefore, it is preferable that the housing forms one or more internal walls of the chamber. In preferred embodiments especially of the invention, the base defines one end of the chamber and the housing defines the opposite end and one side wall of the chamber. Preferably, the housing is slidably mounted within a recess or groove that is formed on a top surface of the base (or a surface placed on the opposite side of the base to the surface which is configured to be attached to a container) . In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the chamber of the device further comprises a plunger. The function of the plunger is mainly to allow virtually all of the contents of the chamber to be expelled when the volume of the internal chamber is reduced during the first stage of operation of the device of the invention and to prevent any fluid from leaking between any separation between the assembly of the housing and the base. To allow the plunger to perform this function, it must form a seal with the sides of the chamber to contain the fluid within a sealed portion of the chamber. In certain embodiments it is preferred that the plunger makes contact with the side wall of the chamber. In such embodiments of the invention, it is preferred that the plunger forms two seals with the wall of the chamber, specifically a first seal which is formed where the plunger makes contact with the side wall to define the sealed portion of the chamber and of the chamber. this way it prevents the product from leaking by passing the plunger during the first stage of operation, and a second seal is formed on the opposite side of the plunger that prevents air from being drawn into the interior of the chamber (from the separations or slits between the housing and the base) instead of the fluid being drawn through the inlet during the second stage of operation of the device. The seal or seals must be maintained while the housing moves relative to the base to facilitate expansion or compression of the camera. The plunger can be fixed to the housing within the chamber such that when the housing moves relative to the base during operation of the device, the plunger also moves. Preferably, however, the plunger is housed on a top surface of the base of the device so that the space within the sealed portion of the chamber is defined between the plunger and the internal walls of the housing. It will be appreciated that the plunger will remain stationary within the chamber in this position as the housing slides relative to the base during operation of the device. The plunger can be made of any suitable material, such as rubber or plastic materials, for example. The plunger can be integrally formed with the base, but preferably it is a separate component that can optionally be formed of a material different from that of the base. In alternative preferred embodiments of the invention, the plunger can be replaced by a resilient deformable insert which defines an internal sealed compartment which contains the fluid present in the chamber. Preferably, the insert extends from one end of the chamber to the opposite end (as further described with reference to the accompanying drawings below). In such cases, the insert is configured to resiliently deform from a resiliently initial deflected configuration when the housing slides toward the base to compress the chamber, and returns to its non-deformed or deflected resilient configuration as the housing returns to its original position and Increase the internal volume of the camera. Preferably, the nozzle device comprises a resilient means which resiliently deflects to drive the base and the housing apart. In "certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the resilient means is a spring that is placed inside the chamber In alternative embodiments wherein the fluid present within the chamber is contained within a resiliently deformable insert, as argued in the foregoing , the insert forms the resilient means which is biased to propel the base and the housing part Preferably, the cooperating detents that are provided on the base and housing contact each other to limit the distance the housing can slide away. In this way, when it is used, an operator who wishes to supply the contents of the container can - -
apply pressure to the housing of the device against the action of the resilient medium and in this way cause the volume of the internal chamber to be reduced and any fluid present therein to be supplied through the outlet. Once the pressure applied by the operator to the housing has been released, the resilient means pushes and then pushes the housing and the base apart, and in this way causes the contents of the container to be extracted into the chamber of the device ready for operation. the next actuation by the operator. Preferably, at least a portion of the internal passage of the outlet is defined between the contacting surfaces of two or more constituent parts of the nozzle device. In certain embodiments of the invention, a portion of the internal passage may be defined only by one of the constituent parts. However, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, each of the parts has a contact surface that contacts the opposing contact surfaces of the other parts when the respective parts are brought into contact together in the assembled nozzle device and at least one of the contact surfaces has one or more grooves or recesses formed thereon which define the internal passage when the parts come into contact together. It is most preferred that at least a portion of the internal passage be defined between two constituent parts of the body. In such cases, at least a portion of the passage is defined between opposing contact surfaces of the two parts and at least one of the contact surfaces has one or more grooves or recesses formed thereon which define the passage when the Contact surfaces of the two parts come into contact together. More preferably, both contact surfaces have one or more grooves or recesses formed thereon which align to define the passage when the contact surfaces of the parts come into contact together. Examples of nozzle devices formed of two separate parts having contact surfaces which define an internal passage of the nozzle device are described in WO 01/89958 and WO 97/31841, and the entire contents of these documents are incorporated in the present as a reference. The outlet valve can be any suitable valve assembly configured to open only and allow fluid to flow through the outlet when the volume of the chamber is reduced and the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. The minimum threshold pressure required will depend on the application of the nozzle device. For example, the threshold pressure can be set very low if the product to be supplied slowly or gradually (as in the case, for example, of soaps, creams, etc.), while the threshold pressure can be much higher if the Nozzle device is going to be used to generate a spray. In the latter case, the contents of the chamber can be expelled at a pressure of 6 bar, for example and in such cases the minimum threshold pressure of the outlet valve can be set to 5 bar. The outlet valve may be a ball valve, for example, where the ball is placed to open the valve when the pressure inside the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold. However, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the outlet valve is defined by the body of the nozzle distribution. Further, in preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein the outlet comprises an outlet orifice and an internal passage, at least a portion of which is defined between the contact surfaces of two or more parts of the nozzle device, the valve of outlet preferably forms within the portion of the internal passage that is defined between the contacting surfaces of two or more parts of the nozzle device, although it can also conform to a portion of the internal passage that is defined by just one of those parts. More preferably, the valve comprises a valve member that is formed on one of the constituent parts, the valve member is resiliently offset against the opposite surface of the other part or constituent parts and thus closes the internal passage that is form between them and that is configured to be displaced so that an open channel is defined through which fluid can flow when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. Preferably, the valve member is in the form of a resiliently deformable fin which is mounted on one of the constituent parts and which resiliently deflects in a configuration by means of which the fin extends through the internal passage and closes the "passageway". The flap is further configured to resiliently deform when the pressure within the chamber is at or exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure to define an opening or channel through which fluid from the chamber can flow along the internal passage to the orifice. outlet, where it is ejected in the form of a spray The flap simply extends through the passage, but it is preferable that the flap be deflected resiliently against an opposing contact surface or surfaces which define the internal passage. It is especially preferred that the fin be mounted within a chamber formed within the internal passage.The camera provides enough space for the fin to be bent from its resilient deflected position to open the valve when the pressure within the chamber equals or exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold. The flap will also be configured so that it can only be distended by fluid pressure acting towards the outlet and not in the opposite direction, and thus converts the valve into a one-way outlet valve. Alternatively, the valve member is in the form of a plug which deflects resiliently to a position in which the plug locks the internal passage, but is configured to be displaced also to define an opening or a channel through which The fluid can flow when the pressure inside the chamber is equal to or exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold. Although the plug itself can be configured to deform so as to define a channel or opening through which the fluid can flow when the pressure inside the chamber (and acting on the plug) is equal to or exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold, More preferably, said plug is mounted on a resiliently deformable surface which can be deformed to remove the cap from the internal passage when the necessary pressure has been obtained inside the chamber. As a further alternative, the valve member may be adapted to resiliently collapse or deform in some other manner, and thereby form a channel through which fluid can pass when a minimum pressure has been obtained within the chamber. The valve member or the surface on which it is mounted can be made of any suitable resiliently deformable material, such as a deformable plastic material or a rubber material. The exit hole is placed at the end of the internal passage. Preferably, the outlet orifice is formed on one edge of the contact surfaces of at least two parts. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet is defined by the housing portion of the body. Preferably the housing comprises two constituent parts and at least a portion of the internal passage of the outlet is defined between the two constituent parts of the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a first constituent part defining the internal chamber together with the base and comprising a bore which forms a section - -
initial of the internal passage, and a second constituent part which is coupled to the first part so that the contact surfaces of the first and second part are in contact together to define the rest of the internal passage between them. In embodiments of the invention which are adapted to generate a spray of the fluid supplied through the outlet during use, it is preferable that the internal passage further comprises one or more of the internal spray modification characteristics. As an alternative, the nozzle device can be configured to receive an insert which comprises one or more spray modification features. The insert can be positioned in relation to the nozzle device so that the fluid exiting the exit orifice flows into an insert inlet and through an internal passage comprising one or more internal spray modification features formed therein. place for an exit orifice of the insert when the fluid is expelled. Suitable spray modification characteristics that can be incorporated into the internal fluid flow passage or that are present in an insert coupled thereto are known in the art and are further described, for example, in WO International Patent Publication Number. 01/89958, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Illustrative examples of such features include one or more features that are selected from the group consisting of: an expansion chamber, a cyclone chamber, an internal orifice, multiple passage branches, an elbow distribution (wherein the passage comprises a turn in one direction, typically ninety degrees, followed by a return turn in the opposite direction), a venturi chamber (where air is drawn into the fluid stream by the venturi system), an outlet in the form of a slot or multiple outlet holes. It is preferable that the outlet valve be placed before (or upstream from) one or more of the spray modification characteristics, such that the fluid can flow only through the spray change characteristics when the pre-compression valve it's open. The inlet valve can be any suitable valve assembly that allows the contents of the container to flow into the chamber of the device only when the pressure inside the chamber drops below the external pressure but prevents the flow in the other address during the first stage of operation of the device. In certain embodiments of the invention, the plunger is housed on the upper surface of the base and comprises a valve member or stem which extends from the main body of the plunger and is received in a sealing coupling with a valve housing formed in base. In alternative embodiments, the valve member or stem may be a separate component, that is, it may not be integrally formed with the plunger. During the second stage of operation, the valve member or stem moves from the valve housing to form an opening through which the contents of the container can flow into the chamber of the device when the pressure inside the chamber drops. below the external pressure. In order to prevent the container to which the device is attached from collapsing when fluid is supplied from inside the container and the pressure inside it is reduced, it is preferable that the device be constituted with an air gap valve configured for allow air from the outside environment to have access to the interior of the container to equalize any pressure differential that exists between them. Any suitable form of air gap will suffice. However, preferably the air slit valve is a one-way valve, which allows air to flow into the container from the outside but prevents the fluid from flowing in the opposite direction, and therefore prevents Any product in the container leaks out through the air slit valve if, for example, the container is turned over. Illustrative examples of suitable air slit valve arrangements formed in the device of the present invention are described below with reference to Figures 9A, 9B and 9C. Preferably, a submersible tube is attached to the base to allow the product stored in the container to be drawn into the interior of the device from the interior of the container. For certain applications, joint ejection of air together with the contents of the container passing through the outlet of the nozzle is desirable. For example, the air can be mixed with the product to impart a certain consistency to the product, which is desirable for certain products such as, for example, foams or mousses. Alternatively, a stream of pressurized air can be used to atomize droplets of liquid passing through the nozzle outlet to create a fine spray. For this latter application, it is especially desirable to be able to introduce an air stream at a predetermined location along the length of the fluid flow passage of the nozzle outlet. Therefore, in certain embodiments of the invention, the chamber of the device is divided into two separate compartments, the first of the compartments comprises an inlet valve and the outlet valve, and is configured to supply fluid entrained through the inlet of the device during the first and second stages of operation, and the second of the compartments is a separate air compartment or a chamber configured to eject a stream of air through the nozzle outlet during the first stage of operation and entrain air from the outside, during the second stage of operation. Therefore, the movement of the housing relative to the base causes the compression of the chamber during the first stage of operation in such modes to cause the contents of the container to be delivered through the nozzle outlet in the usual manner, and additionally it pushes the air from the second compartment through an outlet channel into the nozzle outlet, where air mixing occurs with the contents of the container passing through the nozzle outlet. Preferably, the air chamber is provided with an outlet valve configured to open only and allows the air stream to flow through the - -
outlet of the nozzle distribution when the pressure inside the air compartment exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure. In preferred embodiments of the invention wherein the outlet comprises an outlet orifice and an internal passage, the air stream expelled from the air / chamber compartment during the first stage of operation can be introduced into the interior passage at any position as required. along its length through an outlet channel of the air compartment. It is also preferred that the nozzle device further comprises an air inlet valve configured to open and allow air to access the air compartment only when the pressure therein falls below the external pressure. Therefore, during the second stage of operation of the device, air is drawn into the interior of the air chamber from the external environment through a one-way air inlet valve which allows air to access the compartment. of air in the chamber when the pressure in the chamber decreases in relation to that of the external environment, that is, when the volume of the chamber increases as the housing and base move apart, but prevents air flow in the opposite direction during the first stage of operation. The air can be drawn into the chamber / air compartment through the nozzle, the outlet or through the separations formed between the housing and the base or the designated air inlet. Preferably, the first compartment comprises a plunger as discussed above and the second chamber / air compartment is also provided with an air plunger. Preferably, the air piston is adapted to form a seal with the housing that prevents air present in the air chamber / compartment from leaking past the air piston during the first stage of operation, but which allows the air to flow happening, during the second stage of operation. In a preferred embodiment, the air inlet valve also functions as an air release between the interior of the chamber and the external environment. The nozzle devices of the present invention are preferably made of plastic. The constituent parts of the nozzle distribution can be individually molded and then joined together by connecting them to form the assembled nozzle distribution. Alternatively, part or all of the components can be formed by a double injection molding process, wherein a first constituent part is molded during a first molding step, and the second constituent part is then molded on the first constituent part, during a second stage of molding. The first and second constituent parts can be made of the same or different material. In embodiments where the housing is constituted by two constituent parts, each constituent part can be shaped by molding separately and can then be joined or by a double injection molding process, as described above. As a further alternative, the two constituent parts can be connected together by a hinge or a collapsible connecting element and can be molded in a single molding operation and then can be folded on themselves around the hinge or connecting element to form the assembled housing component. The respective parts, once shaped, can be fixed permanently together or alternatively, the parts can be releasably connectable to each other. This last form of assembly is the one that is referred to because the respective parts are separated to expose the interior of the nozzle device for cleaning.
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The device of the present invention can also be provided with a trigger actuator that allows the first and second stages of operation to be facilitated by the operation of a trigger, instead of applying pressure to the housing directly. The trigger actuator is preferably configured such that, when the trigger device is pulled, the housing of the device is caused to move towards the base and compresses the chamber of the device formed therebetween, and thus causes the pressure inside the chamber is increased and the fluid present inside is supplied through the outlet of the nozzle. When the trigger is released, the housing is free to move away from the base in a manner that causes the volume of the chamber to expand and thus drags more product (and air, if an air compartment is present) into the interior of the chamber. the camera. Preferably, the actuator trigger is a separate component that engages the pump action nozzle device and which comprises a trigger handle and two attachment elements. Preferably, the first fixed connecting element, the actuator to the base and a second connecting element joins the trigger actuator to the housing, the elements can be moved towards each other when the trigger is pulled and can be moved - -
separating from each other when the trigger is released and returns to its original position. Preferably, a connecting element with the trigger is integrally formed and pivotally connected to the base of the device and to the other connecting element, the other connecting element is pivotally mounted to the housing of the device. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trigger actuator adapted to be coupled to the pump nozzle device comprising an internally compressible chamber that is formed between a housing and a base of the device, the housing can be moved in relation to the base to facilitate the expansion of the internal chamber in a first stage of operation and the compression of the chamber in a second stage of operation, the trigger actuator comprises a trigger handle and a means by means of which connecting the trigger actuator to the base and a means by which the trigger actuator can be attached to the housing, wherein the trigger actuator is configured such that when the trigger is pulled toward the nozzle device, the housing moves in relation to the base and compresses the camera during the second stage of operation when the trigger is released causes the move in relation - 8 - to the base to expand the camera during the first stage of operation. In this way, the trigger actuator provides a means by which a pump nozzle device can be converted into a trigger action pump-driven nozzle device. The trigger actuator is preferably shaped as argued in the foregoing. In more general terms, it may be particularly desirable to co-expel air from the pump action nozzle device because, in the case of the devices adapted to generate a spray (for example a finger-operated pump and nozzle devices). trigger sprinkler) the spray quality produced at low pressures is often poor and the mixing of fluid with the air stream provides a means by which the spray droplets ejected from the nozzle device can be further atomized prior to spraying. the ejection from the nozzle device. In addition, it may also be desirable to introduce air into a low pressure jet which supplies a product such as a foam or mousse. Although joint ejection from industrial scale nozzle devices, where high air volumes and high pressures are used, is common, it is less common (though not unknown) to jointly blow air with another fluid from a nozzle device of pump action. This is because the amount of air that can be contained in such devices is limited (up to a maximum of 10 times the volume of liquid supplied and more typically between 5 and 10 times the volume of liquid) and the pressure generated by Such devices are typically low (between 3 and 6 bar). "Conventional nozzle devices
(commonly referred to as air pumps) are generally complex and large structures that are difficult to manufacture, particularly at low cost (due to the material and assembly costs involved). A further object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a pump action nozzle distribution which can jointly eject air together with another fluid from a container and which is also a simple and compact nozzle device, that it is not expensive to produce and that it is constituted only by some separate components. Therefore, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump action nozzle device adapted to be coupled to an opening in a container and which allows a liquid to be supplied from the interior of the container during its use, the nozzle device has a body which defines an internal chamber and which comprises: (i) an inlet having a one-way valve through which it can draw its fluid into the chamber; (ii) an exit hole; (iii) an internal passage that connects the camera with the exit hole; (iv) a one way outlet valve positioned in the internal passage and adapted to open only and allow fluid to flow along the passage when the pressure within the internal chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure; and (iv) an actuator; wherein the body is configured so that the internal volume of the chamber is reduced when the actuator is operated, and in this way it is caused that the fluid stored in the chamber has been expelled through the outlet valve and along the length of the chamber. passage internal to the exit orifice, and is increased when the actuator is released, and in this way causes the fluid to be drawn into the interior of the chamber through the inlet; characterized in that the body further defines an air chamber configured to supply a current of air within the internal passage or exit orifice, when the actuator is operated through an outlet channel which connects the air chamber to a position as length of the internal passage or the exit, the body is configured in such a way that the internal volume of the chamber is reduced when the actuator is operated, and in this way causes the air present in the air chamber to be expelled through the channel of exit and inside the internal passage or the exit orifice, and is increased when the actuator is released, and in this way causes the air to be drawn into the air chamber from the external environment. Preferably, the nozzle devices of the third aspect of the present invention comprise one or more features of the nozzle distributions of the first aspect of the present invention defined in the foregoing (even if not specifically reiterated in the following). During normal operation of the device of the third aspect of the present invention, the actuator is operated to compress both the internal chamber of the device and the air chamber to cause the fluid present in the internal chamber and the air present in the chamber of air, respectively, are supplied through the outlet orifice. Once the actuator is released, then the volume of the chambers can be increased to cause the fluid to be drawn into the inner chamber, through the inlet of the device and to entrain air into the interior of the air chamber . It is preferable that one or more of the internal chamber, the inlet (and the inlet valve), the outlet valve (and the outlet valve) are defined by the body of the device, as argued in the foregoing. More preferably, all of the components mentioned above are defined by the body of the device. Thus, in such embodiments, the device of the third present invention is of more sensitive design / construction and comprises a reduced number of components. In addition, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, the volume of the device can be significantly reduced and the camera can be placed outside the container (or substantially out of the container) and from this - it enables the device to be coupled to the openings of containers of virtually any size, without the amount of pressure generated being altered by the size of the container and the limitations usually imposed by the dimensions of the device (as in the case of nozzle devices) of conventional pump).
Preferably, the device comprises a resilient means configured to cause the volume of the chamber to increase once the actuator is released. Preferably, the body of the device comprises two constituent parts that can be moved towards each other to compress the inner chamber and the air chamber, and that move away from each other to cause the chamber to expand. The resilient means preferably deviates against both parts to drive the two parts away from each other. The resilient means may be a spring or other resiliently deformable insert that is provided in one or both of the internal chambers and in the air chamber. The air chamber can be a separate compartment of the internal chamber or it can be a completely separate chamber. The air can be drawn into the air chamber through the exit orifice and the internal passage of the device and into the interior of the air chamber through the outlet channel when the actuator is released and caused to increase / expand the volume of the camera. In such cases, the air is prevented from having access to the internal chamber by the one-way outlet valve. Preferably, however, the device may further comprise an air inlet through which air is drawn into the interior of the air chamber from outside the device. The air inlet preferably comprises an air inlet valve configured to open only and allow air to be drawn into the interior of the chamber when the pressure in it drops below the external pressure (i.e., when it is caused to fall). increase the volume of the camera). . The outlet channel can be one or more holes or fine pores which allow air to flow through them but prevent any liquid from the internal chamber from flowing through the internal passage preventing it from having access to the air chamber. However, more preferably, the outlet channel comprises an air release valve adapted to open only and allows fluid to flow along the passage when the pressure within the air chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure. Any suitable air release valve can be used. In the embodiments of the third aspect of the invention wherein the air is drawn into the interior of the air chamber through the outlet orifice and the internal passage, the air release valve will be a two-way valve configured to allow the Air flows out of the air chamber when the pressure inside the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure, and the flow inside the air chamber when the pressure in it drops below the external pressure. In the embodiments of the third aspect of the invention wherein the air is drawn into the interior of the air chamber through a separate air inlet, the air release valve preferably is a one-way valve configured to only open and allow that air flows out of the air chamber when the pressure in the air chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum. Preferably, the outlet valve and the air release valve are configured to open at substantially the same minimum threshold pressure. This ensures that the fluid from the internal chamber and the air from the air chamber are released both at the same time. Clearly, this can be modified to enable "either the air or the liquid has been supplied first if this is what is desired, preferably, the internal passage is separated from the air chamber by a body wall and the channel The outlet is formed in said wall in any desired position so that the air can be expelled into the internal passage at any desired position along the length of the internal passage.
In the preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the invention the chamber is placed either above or below the internal passage and the outlet channel is formed in an upper or lower wall of the chamber, respectively. Preferably, the outlet channel is positioned so that air is introduced into the internal passage • downstream of the outlet valve (i.e., it is inserted in a position between the outlet valve and the outlet orifice). Preferably, at least a portion of the internal passage of the outlet is defined between the contacting surfaces of two or more constituent parts of the nozzle device. In certain embodiments of the third aspect of the invention, a portion of the internal passage may be defined by only one of the constituent parts. However, in the preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the invention, each of the parts has a contact surface which contacts the contact surfaces of other parts when the parts are brought together in the assembled nozzle device. , and at least one of the contact surfaces has one or more grooves or recesses formed thereon which define an internal passage between the contact surfaces when the parts come into contact together. It is further preferred that at least a portion of the internal passage is defined between the two constituent parts of the body. In such cases, at least a portion of the passage is defined between opposing contact surfaces of the two parts and at least one of the contact surfaces has one or more grooves or recesses formed thereon which define the passage when Contact surfaces of the parts come into contact together. More preferably, both contact surfaces have one or more grooves or recesses formed thereon which align to define the passage When the contact surfaces of the parts come into contact together. Examples of the nozzle devices formed of two separate parts which define an internal passage of the device are described in WO 01/89958 and WO 97/31841, and the entire contents of these documents are hereby incorporated by reference. The outlet valve may be any suitable valve assembly configured to just open and allow fluid to flow through the outlet when the volume of the chamber is reduced and the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. The minimum threshold pressure required will depend on the application of the nozzle device. For example, the threshold pressure can be adjusted very low if the product to be supplied slowly or gradually at low pressure (as in the case, for example, of soaps, creams, etc.), while the threshold pressure can be much greater if the nozzle device is to be used to generate a spray. In the latter case, the contents of the chamber can be expelled at a pressure of 6 bar, for example (although it can be as low as 2 or 3 bar in some cases) and in such cases the minimum threshold pressure of the outlet valve can be adjusted to 5 bar. The outlet valve can be a ball valve, for example where the ball is displaced to open the valve when the pressure inside the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold. In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, however, the outlet valve is a flap valve in which the flap is resiliently mounted so that it resides in a position in which a channel between the chamber and the chamber is closed. nozzle outlet (ie, the valve is closed), but can be distended to a position in which the channel is opened (ie, the valve is open) when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. In preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the invention, wherein the outlet comprises an outlet orifice and an internal passage, at least a portion of which is defined between the contact surfaces of two or more parts of the nozzle device, the valve outlet is preferably formed by the portion of the internal passage that is defined between the contact surfaces of two or more parts of the nozzle device, although it can also conform to a portion of the internal passage that is defined only in one of the parts. More preferably, the valve comprises a valve member that is formed in one of the constituent parts, the valve member resiliently deflects against the opposite surface of the other part or constituent parts and thus closes the internal passage formed between they are configured to be displaced so as to define an open channel through which fluid can flow when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. Preferably, the valve member is in the form of a resiliently deformable fin which is mounted on one of the constituent parts and which is resiliently deflected in a configuration wherein the fin extends through the internal passage and closes the passage. The flap is further configured to resiliently deform when the pressure within the chamber is or exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure to define an opening or chamber through which the fluid of the chamber can flow along the internal passage to the exit orifice. , where it is expelled in the form of a spray. The flap simply extends through the passage, but it is preferable that the flap be deflected resiliently against one or more opposing contact surfaces, which define the internal passage. It is especially preferred that the fin be mounted within the chamber formed within the internal passage. The chamber provides sufficient space for the flap to bend from its resiliently deflected position to open the valve when the pressure within the chamber is or exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold. Alternatively, the valve member is in the form of a plug which resiliently deflects in a position to which the plug blocks the internal passage, but is configured to also be displaced to define an opening or a channel through which the fluid It can flow when the pressure inside the chamber is or exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold. Although the plug itself may be configured to deform so as to define a channel or opening through which the fluid can flow when the pressure within the chamber (and acting on the plug) is equal to or exceeds the predetermined minimum threshold, it is more preferable that the plug be mounted on a resiliently deformable surface which can be deformed to prevent the plug of the internal passage when the necessary pressure inside the chamber has been reached. The valve member or the surface on which it is mounted can be made of any resiliently suitable deformable material, such as deformable plastic material or a rubber material. In general, it is preferable that the outlet valve be defined by the body of the device instead of being a separate component. Therefore, a body part comprises a valve member formed thereon as an integral component, which blocks or closes the internal passage but which can be moved to open the valve when the pressure inside the chamber exceeds the Minimum predetermined threshold pressure. The exit hole is placed at the end of the internal passage. Preferably, the outlet orifice is formed on one edge of the contact surfaces of at least two parts. In embodiments where the internal passage is defined by two or more contact surfaces (preferably two contact surfaces), the outlet channel of the air chamber extends from a position on one of the contact surfaces to the chamber of contact. air In embodiments of the third aspect of the invention which are adapted to generate a spray of the fluid supplied through the outlets during use, it is preferable that the internal passage further comprises one or more internal spray modifier features. As an alternative, the nozzle device can be configured to receive an insert which comprises one or more spray modifier features. The insert can be positioned in relation to the nozzle device so that the fluid exiting the outlet orifice flows into an insert inlet and through an internal passage comprising one or more internal spraying modifier features formed therein. to an exit orifice of the insert where the fluid is expelled. Suitable spray modifier features that can be incorporated within the internal fluid flow passage or are presented in an insert coupled thereto, are known in the art and are described, for example, in International Patent Publication Number WO 01 / 89958, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Illustrative examples of such features include one or more features that are selected from the group consisting of: an expansion chamber, a cyclone chamber, an internal orifice, multiple passage branches, an elbow distribution (wherein the passage comprises a turn in one direction, typically ninety degrees, followed by a return turn in the opposite direction), a venturi chamber (where air is drawn into the fluid stream by the venturi system) and an exit orifice in the form of one slot or multiple outlet holes. It is preferable that the outlet valve be placed before (or upstream of) one or more of the spray modifier characteristics, so that the fluid can flow only through the spray modifier features when the precompression valve is opened. . It is also especially preferred that the outlet channel is distributed to introduce air into an internal chamber formed in the internal passage or the insert (whereby the outlet channel can be aligned with a bore formed in the insert through which it can flow air into the insert). Such a chamber can be an expansion chamber or a cyclone chamber. The inlet valve can be any suitable valve assembly that allows the contents of the container to flow into the chamber of the device only when the pressure inside the chamber drops below the external pressure but prevents flow in the other direction during the first stage of operation of the device. The actuator may be any suitable means by which subsequent compression and re-expansion of the chamber can be facilitated. For example, the actuator can be a portion of the body that can be pressed by an operator to facilitate compression of the chamber, or the nozzle distribution can further comprise a trigger actuator that can be pulled by an operator to facilitate compression of the chamber. the camera. To prevent the container to which the device is attached from collapsing when fluids are supplied from the interior of the container and the pressure in the container is reduced, it is preferable that the device comprises an air gap valve configured to allow the air of the External environment has access to the interior of the container to equalize any pressure differential that exists between them. Any suitable form of air gap will suffice. However, preferably the air gap valve is a one-way valve, which allows air to flow into the container from the outside, but prevents the flow of fluid in the opposite direction and therefore prevents Any product in the container leaks out through the valve. Air gap if the container is turned, for example. Illustrative examples of suitable air slit valve distributions formed in the device of the present invention are described below with reference to Figures 9A, 9B and 9C. The nozzle devices of the third aspect of the present invention are preferably formed of plastic. The constituent parts of the nozzle distribution can be individually molded and then joined together to form the assembled nozzle distribution. Alternatively, part or all of the components can be formed by a double injection molding process in which a first constituent part is molded during the first molding stage and a second constituent part is subsequently molded on the first constituent part, during the second stage of molding. The first and second constituent parts can be made of the same or different material. In the embodiments wherein the housing is constituted of two constituent parts, each constituent part can be made molded separately and then they can be joined or they can be processed by double injection molding, as described in the above. As a further alternative, the two-component parts can be connected together by a hinge or a collapsible connecting element and can be mounted in a single molding operation and then can be folded on themselves around the hinge or connecting element to form the assembled housing component. The respective parts, once formed, can be fixed together permanently, for example, by ultrasonic welding or alternatively the parts can be releasably connectable to each other. This last form of assembly is the one preferred because it allows the respective parts to separate to expose the interior of the nozzle device for cleaning. The manner in which the invention can be carried out will now be described further, by way of example only with reference to the following figures, in which: Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along the a first embodiment of a device of the present invention; Figure IB is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the components which constitute the device shown in Figure 1A; Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view taken through a second embodiment of a device of the present invention; Figure 2B is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the components which constitute the device shown in Figure 2A; Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the housing 102 shown in Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 3B is a plan view of the lower part of the housing 102 shown in Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 4 is a plan view of the base 101 shown in Figure 2A; Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the plunger 108 shown in Figures 2? and 2B; Figure 5B is a plan view of the plunger 108 shown 'in Figures 2? and 2B; Figures 6A and 6B are both cross-sectional views showing the upper portion of the housing shown in Figure 2A and the nozzle outlet 2B with the cover 104 partially offset from the housing (Figure 6A) and in contact with the housing 102 (Figure 6B); Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle outlet 106 shown in Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 7B is a perspective view of the recess 704 shown in Figure 7A; Figure 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X 'of Figure 7A in an assembled nozzle outlet; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view taken through the upper portion of the housing 102 of an alternative embodiment of the present invention which incorporates an alternative version of the second valve; Figures 9A to 9C are diagrammatic views, in cross-section, showing various embodiments of an air gap valve; Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view of a device of the present invention which is adjusted with a trigger actuator; Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 8A, when the trigger has been pulled to cause the housing to move relative to the base; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the housing 102 of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12A is an exploded cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12B is a cross-sectional view of the assembled nozzle distribution shown in Figure 12A;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention; and • Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the invention. Figures 1 to 14 exemplify the first aspect of the present invention. Figures 10A and 10B exemplify the second aspect of the present invention, and Figures 2A to 8, 13 and 14 exemplify the third aspect of the present invention. In the following description of the figures, similar reference numbers will be used to indicate similar or corresponding parts in the different figures. In Figures 1A and IB a first embodiment of a device 100 according to the present invention is shown. The device 100 comprises a base 101 which defines a cavity 150, whose internal walls are provided with a screw thread 151 that is formed therein. The internal cavity 150 is adapted to receive a neck of a container, threaded in the form of a screw, and shaped accordingly, and therefore enables the device 100 to be screwed onto the container for use. The device 100 further comprises a housing 102 which is slidably mounted within a recessed groove 103 that is formed on the upper surface of the base 101. The groove 103 of the base is provided with detents (in this case, a lip which is inwardly projecting 101a) which contacts the cooperating detents (in this case, an outward projecting edge 102a) that is formed on the housing 102 to limit upward movement of the housing in relation to the base and of this way to prevent the housing from sliding out of engagement with the base during use. The base 101 and the housing 102 together define an internal chamber 107 in which a plunger 108 is positioned. The plunger 108 is housed on the base 101 and extends across the width of the chamber 107 to make contact with the side walls. of the chamber that is formed by the housing 102 and forms a sealing coupling therewith. The plunger 108 also comprises a downwardly extending valve member 108a which is received within the valve housing 109 that is formed in the base 101. The valve member 108a, together with the valve housing 109, form the which is called the device's inlet valve between the chamber and the interior of the container. An inlet channel 110 is also formed in the base 101 and a submersible tube (not shown) engages this channel to allow the contents of the container to be drawn into the chamber 107 of the device 100 through the inlet valve. during use, as described further in the following. The housing 102 comprises a first part 102c which defines the inner chamber 107 and additionally comprises a second part in the form of a lid 104. The first part 102c defines an upper wall 102d and a side wall 102e of the chamber, as well as a portion 106a initial of internal passage 106. The rest of the internal passage 106 is defined between the respective contact surfaces of the cover 104 and the first part of the housing 102c. ? in this respect, the contact surfaces of the first part 102c and the cover 104 comprises recesses or grooves that are formed thereon which are aligned when the respective contact surfaces are brought together to define the remainder of the internal passage 106. An exit hole 112 is formed in which the grooves / recesses coincide with the edge of the contact surfaces of the housing 102c and the cover 104. A one-way outlet valve is formed within the internal passage defined by the contact surfaces of the valve. the cover 104 and the first part of the housing 102c. In this regard, the lid 104 is provided with a fin 105 resiliently mounted which is housed in a chamber 105a which is formed in the internal passage to form the outlet valve. The flap 105 resiliently deflects against the upper surface of the first part on the housing 102a to close the internal passage 106, but can be shifted to the outlet 112 when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. The outlet valve is a one-way valve because the fin can not be displaced towards the chamber 107. A helical spring 111 is placed inside the chamber 107. The spring deviates at one end against the housing 102 and the base 101 at its other end. The additional housing comprises a support member 102b which extends downwardly from its upper surface and is positioned within the bore defined by the helical spring 111. The support member 102b provides support for the spring and also allows the spring to be held in place while assembling the device. The spring urges the housing 102 up and away from the base so that the edge 102a of the housing contacts the inner edge 101a of the base, and thus limits the extent of upward movement of the housing 102. In this position ( and as shown in Figure 1A) the internal chamber 107 has its maximum internal volume. During use, the cover 104 of the housing 102 can be pressed downwardly by an operator so as to cause the housing 102 to slide towards the base 101, against the action of the spring 111. During this movement, the internal volume of the chamber 107 is reduced and this in turn results in the compression of the chamber 107. The resulting increase in pressure in the chamber pushes the valve member 108a of the plunger in a sealing engagement with the valve housing 109 and thus closes the inlet valve and prevents the contents of the chamber from flowing from the chamber 107 into the interior of the container. Further, once the pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined minimum threshold value, for example 5 bar, the contents of the container cause the resiliently mounted flap 105 to move from a position in which the outlet is blocked to a position in which the outlet is open, and in this way allows the contents stored within the chamber 107 to flow through the outlet valve, along the internal passage 106 and is then supplied from the device through the orifice 112 exit. Once the desired amount of product has been delivered or the housing has been pressed to the maximum so that the maximum amount of product has been delivered from the chamber, then the operator will release the pressure applied to the housing and the housing will slide out of the housing. return to its initial position (as shown in Figure 1A) under the action of the spring 111. By doing so in this manner, the internal volume of the chamber 107 increases and this generates a reduced pressure inside the chamber 107. During this The process closes the outlet valve because once the pressure drops below the minimum threshold, the fin 105 resiliently mounted returns to the position in which it covers the outlet 105a. The reduced pressure inside the chamber 107 causes the inlet valve to open, that is, the valve member 108a of the plunger 108 to move from the valve housing 110 and the contents of the container are drawn into the interior of the chamber 107. to replenish the content previously supplied. In a preferred embodiment, the plunger must be replaced with the plunger shown in Figure 9C, whereby it additionally provides the device 100 with an air slit valve. With reference to Figure 2A and 2B, a second embodiment of a device 200 of the present invention is shown. This second embodiment is the same as the modality shown in Figure 1 in many aspects and this is illustrated by the use of the same reference numbers to indicate similar or corresponding parts. However, there is a major difference in that the housing 102 is formed to defining a chamber -107 that is constituted of two compartments separated and sealed internally. The central compartment 107a is equivalent to the chamber 107 shown in Figure 1 and where the contents of the container pass through it during use. The circular wall 201 of the housing 102 defines the central compartment 107a. This wall 201 is received within a corresponding circular recess slot 202 which is formed in the upper surface of the base 101. In this way, during use the wall 201 slides inside the groove 202 recessed. Chamber 107a comprises a smaller piston 108 and a spring 111, whose functions are identical to those described with reference to figures 17? and IB. The second compartment is an air chamber 203 which surrounds the central compartment 107a. The air compartment 203 is defined between the outer wall of the housing 102 and the inner wall 201. An air piston 204 is housed on the base within the air compartment 203 and performs the same function as the piston 108 which is described with reference to Figure i.
In this embodiment, the air piston 204 is circular in shape and comprises a recess 205 which is formed in its lower surface which, when housed on the base in the final assembly, as shown in Figure 2A, receives the projection 206 vertical that is formed on the base. In figure 4 a plan view of the upper surface of the base 101 is shown to illustrate the distribution of the respective recesses and projections. The air chamber 203 comprises an outlet channel 204 which connects the air chamber 203 at a position along the length of the internal passage 106, such that the air expelled from the air chamber 203 when the air housing device travels towards the base, and thus comprises the chambers 107 and 203) enters the internal passage 106 downstream from the outlet valve and is supplied with the liquid that is supplied from the chamber 107. A valve is provided. . air release (not shown) in the output channel 204. The valve is a two-way valve adapted to open and allow air to be supplied from chamber 203 only when a predetermined minimum pressure is reached therein. The valve is preferably configured to open at the same time as the outlet valve so that the liquid supplied from the chamber 107 is released simultaneously with air from the air chamber. This ensures that the air and liquid are mixed within the internal passage 106. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the housing 102 may be wider than the base and may be configured so that the outer wall of the housing slides on the outer wall of the base. This construction is preferred for embodiments of the invention which comprise an air gap, as discussed further in the following with reference to Figure SC. For purposes of illustration, the housing 102 of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is presented in Figures 3A and 3B. With reference to these figures, it can be seen that the housing has two outlets that are formed on its upper surface, specifically the initial portion of the internal passage 106a and the exit channel 204 through which the contents of the camera 203 are expelled. air during use in the internal passage 106 defined between the cover 104 and the upper surface of the first part 102c of the housing 102. The plunger 108 of the embodiment shown in figures 2? and 2B is shown in greater detail in Figures 5A and 5B. The upper portion of the plunger 108 is shaped to form two sealed sealing couplings with the wall 201 of the central chamber 107a when placed inside the assembled device, as shown in Figure 2a. Specifically, a first seal which prevents the slit of air passing the plunger during the second stage of operation is formed by the edge 501 which makes contact with the wall of the housing 201. A second seal is formed by contacting the edge 502 with the housing 201 which prevents air from leaking past the plunger during the first stage of operation. If the second seal is not present, the edge 501 can be displaced from the contact with the housing during the first stage of operation of the device by pressure difference between the interior of the compartment and the outside environment and thus causes the air to flow to the outside. inside the compartment 107a, instead of extracting product through the inlet valve. The plunger also has a downwardly extending valve member 108a which terminates in a truncated cone which is received within the opening defined by the valve housing 109 of the base 101 to form the inlet valve. The upper portion of the housing 102 is shown in greater detail in Figures 6A and 6B. Attached to the upper surface of a first part of the housing 102c is a cover 104. The cover is constituted by two parts, a body 601 which is adapted to be positioned in the upper portion of the housing 102 and a hinged lid portion 602. The hinged lid portion 602 has a resiliently deformable fin 105a formed on its bottom surface which, when the lid is placed together with the body 601, forms the outlet valve, as described above. The hinged lid portion 602 also has a contact surface having grooves or recesses formed thereon which, when the lid comes into contact with a corresponding contact surface that is formed on the upper surface of the housing 102 the which has corresponding slots or recesses formed thereon, defines the nozzle outlet 106. In figure 7A a plan view of the contact surface of the upper surface of the housing 102 is shown. The contact surface 701 comprises a perforation which extends into the internal chamber 107a and forms an initial portion 106a of the internal passage and a slot 702 which extends from the second valve to an edge of the contact surface 703. Shaped within groove 702 is a deepened recess 704. The recess 704 is shown in greater detail in Figure 7B where it can be seen that the recess is of a semicircular cross section profile and the channel 204 extending from the air chamber 203 within the recess. The contact surface of the lid 602 (not shown) comprises a groove similar to the groove 702 with an equivalent to a recess equivalent with the recess 704 formed therein. In this way, when the two contact surfaces come into contact, the slots and recesses formed therein align to form a fluid flow passage which extends from the second valve to the outlet 703 of the device and comprises a circular chamber that is formed by the alignment of the recesses 704 and the corresponding recesses of the contact surface of the cover 602. In this way, the chamber is known as an expansion chamber. When used, the contents of the internal chamber 107a pass through the second valve into the passage formed by the groove 702 and its equivalent on the opposite contact surface of the cover 104. The fluid is then sprayed into the chamber of expansion (see reference 710 in Figure 7C) formed by recess 704 and the corresponding recess in the opposing contact surface of the cap through a perforation formed in the passageway (not shown). The spray droplets formed in this manner are mixed with a stream of air expelled from the air chamber 203 in the expansion chamber 710 and then continue along the passage to the outlet 112 where they are ejected from the device in the form of a sprinkling To prevent the slits from being introduced, the fluid outlet distribution is surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped recess 705 formed in the contact surface of the housing 102 which receives a projection 706 correspondingly (see FIG. 7C) which it is formed on the contact surface of the cap, as shown in FIG. 7C, to form the horseshoe-shaped seal barrier. In a similar manner, an additional recess 707 extends from either side of the horseshoe-shaped recess 705 towards the slot 702 at various points along the length of the slot 702. This additional recess also receives correspondingly shaped projections on the contact surface of the layer and, together with the horseshoe-shaped seal barrier, defines a series of compartments sealed internally around portions of the fluid flow passage when the contact surfaces of the upper surface of the housing 102 and the cover 602 are put in contact. Any fluid that slits from the fluid flow passage during use is then retained within one. of these compartments and prevents it from spilling between the contact surfaces and leaking from the outlet of the nozzle. Channel 204 is shown in Figures 7A and 7B as a. direct channel between the air chamber 203 (not shown) and the internal passage 106 of the nozzle outlet. When the nozzle outlet is formed between the contact surfaces of two or more parts, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, it will be appreciated that the air can be conveniently channeled to virtually any point along the length of the fluid flow passage that is desired when placing the opening of the outlet channel 204 in a manner that the air enters the channel where it is desired. Figure 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X 'of Figure 7A. In Figure 7C, the horseshoe-shaped recess 705 and the horseshoe shaped projection 706, which forms the seal, are visible on both sides of the expansion chamber 710. The fluid flow passage 711 which opens to the expansion chamber 710 is also shown. In Figure 8 an alternative embodiment of the lid 104 is shown. In this embodiment, the lid 104 engages the upper surface of the first part 102c of the housing 102 shown in Figures 1A and IB in the usual manner. The initial portion of the internal passage 106a formed by the first part 102c of the housing 102 is covered by a resiliently deformable membrane 801, which is integrally formed in the cover 104 and has a cap 802 extending downwardly which is received inside. of the upper portion of the initial portion of the passage 106a. Membrane 801 and plug 802 effectively form an alternative form of valve member for the outlet valve of the device. During use, that is, when the housing is pushed towards the base 101 to eject the contents of the chamber through the internal passage 106 and the exit 112, the pressure within the chamber increases to a predetermined threshold level and, a Once this level is obtained or exceeded, the membrane 801 is caused to deform away from the opening of the portion of the passage 106a and thus separates the plug 802 and forms an opening through which the contents of the The chamber can flow to the outlet 106. After use, that is, when the pressure drops below a minimum threshold, the membrane returns to its original position in which the channel 301 closes, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 9? shows a modification for the air piston 204 and the base 201 shown in Figures 2A and .2B which provides an air gap to equalize any pressure differential that develops between the interior of the container and the external environment. In Figure 9A, for purposes of illustration, only the relevant portion of the device is shown. As discussed previously with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, the housing 102 is slidably mounted in a recess 103 of the base 101 and an air plunger 204 is housed on an overhanging ridge 206 that is formed in the base 101. As shown in Figure 9A, the air piston 204 is modified to include a resiliently mounted arm 901 which extends downwardly which contacts the internal wall of the housing. The resiliently mounted arm 901 is positioned adjacent an air slit opening 902 which is formed within the base and which is capable of movement between a position in which the arm covers and closes the air slit opening, and a in which the air gap is opened, thus allowing air to flow between the external environment and the interior of the container. As can be seen in Figure 9A, the resiliently mounted arm 901 of the plunger 204 can be urged to the closed position by an enlarged annular edge 903 at the base of the inner wall of the housing 101, which urges the resiliently mounted arm. in a position in which the air gap is closed when the device is not in use. When the housing is pushed downward relative to the base, the arm 901 of the air piston 204 deflects resiliently to still seal the opening 902, while when the housing moves upward relative to the base, the arm 901 is displaced from the opening 902 and the air can pass through the opening until the edge 903 urges the arm 901 back towards the opening to re-form the seal. Figure 9B shows a further alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention which comprises an air gap formed therein. The modality shown in Figure 9B is similar to the one shown in Figures 2? and 2B in certain aspects. However, this embodiment differs in that the central compartment 107a of the chamber is provided with a plunger of construction different from the plunger 108. In this embodiment, the plunger in the central cavity 107a is shown with the reference number 910 and a member 911 of separate valve is received within the valve housing 109 of the base 101 to form the first valve. A shoulder or a set of posts 912 on which the spring 111 is mounted is provided between the valve member 911 and the plunger 910. A further modification is that the second valve is formed by a resiliently deformable membrane 801 having a member 802 which extends in a descending manner which is received within the outlet channel 301, instead of the fin 105 which covers the opening 105a previously described. The air piston 204 is also of a different shape but, in common with the embodiment shown in Fig. 9A, comprises a resiliently mounted arm 901 which is also capable of being driven from a position in which the arm moves. from an air slit opening 902 that is formed in the base and the air slit is opened, to a position in which the air slit 902 is closed. Again, the arm 901 of the air piston 204 is urged in the position by means of which the air slit 902 is closed when the enlarged edge 903 formed in the base of the inner wall of the housing 102 slides past the arm 901. Therefore, when the housing is pressed down relative to the base, as shown in Fig. 9B, the air gap opens, but if the housing is released so that the spring 111 pushes the housing upwardly until that the edge 102a makes contact with the edge 101a, then the arm is urged to a position where the air gap is closed by the enlarged edge 903. Figure 9C shows a further alternative embodiment of the device, which comprises an air slit. In this embodiment, the outer wall of the housing slides on the outer surface of the base when the housing is pushed down relative to the base, instead of being slidably mounted within the recessed groove that is formed in the upper surface of the base. the base, as in the totality of the previous modalities. In this embodiment, the air piston 204 is in the form of a wedge which has two arms, a first arm 901 makes contact with the side of the base to form a seal to close the air slit 902 that is formed in the base , while the second arm 920 forms a sealed sealing coupling with the inner wall of the air compartment 203. The seal formed by the arm 901 is only very light and these can be bent to a position in which the air gap opens if the external pressure exceeds the pressure inside the container. However, leakage of the contents of the container outwardly through the air slit 902 is avoided because the arm 902 forms a seal against the base wall, as shown in Figure 9C and can not be further diverted. to allow flow to occur outside the container. Figures 10A and 10B show a container 100 coupled with "a device 100 of the present invention which is provided with an actuator trigger 1001. The actuator trigger 1001 is constituted by two pivotally connected parts 1002 and 1003, which are connected by connecting by a plastic hinge at the number 1004. The part 1002 consists of a joining element 1002a which is pivotally connected to the base of the device and a trigger 1002b which can be operated by the user in the usual manner. The part 1003 is pivotally mounted to the cover 104 of the housing 102. The operation of the trigger by pulling it towards the container pulls the part 1002 downwardly around the pivotal connection to the base and this action in turn causes the part 1003 pull the housing down in relation to the base (in this way it compresses the camera into it and causes the product to, or a mixture of product and air (if an air chamber is present) is supplied through the nozzle outlet). In Figure 11 the housing 102 and the plunger 108 of an alternative embodiment of the present invention are shown. This embodiment is the same as that shown in Figures 1A and IB, except that the plunger 108 comprises a wall 108b that extends upwards and outwards which defines a resiliently deformable insert or compartment 107a that contains liquid inside. of the chamber 107. The wall 108b extending upwards and outwards is resiliently deformable so that when the alloy 102 moves towards the base 101 (which is not shown in Figure 11), the wall will deform / collapse so that the pressure within the compartment 107a is increased and the fluid present therein will be supplied through the internal passage 106 and the outlet when the pressure is sufficient to open the outlet valve. In this embodiment, the resilient deformable wall / insert 108b is the resilient means which, instead of the spring 111 and the post 102b that are required in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1A and IB, forces the housing 102 to move away from the base 101 to cause the chamber volume to increase when the actuator is not operated, or when it is released after the operation. A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 12A and 12B. This embodiment is identical to the modality described with reference to Figure 11, except that the resiliently deformable insert or wall 108b is shaped as a resiliently deformable bellows or concertina, which is compressed when the chamber 107 is compressed by the operation of the actuator (i.e., by pressing the housing downwardly toward the base 101) and subsequently returning to its original configuration, as shown in Figures 12A and 12B, when the pressure applied to the actuator is released.
The embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 11, 12A and 12B are the simplest embodiments of the present invention comprising only three separate constituent parts, specifically the base 101, the housing 102 (which includes the cover 104) and the insert / valve member 108. Consequently, these modalities are particularly cheap to manufacture. In Figure 13 a modified additional embodiment of the invention is shown. This embodiment is identical to that shown in Figure 12A and 12B, except that the resiliently deformable bellows or concertina insert 1301 is provided within the insert 108b. In this embodiment, the compartment 107a forms an air chamber, equivalent to the air chamber 203, and the internal compartment 1302 contains the liquid withdrawn through the inlet. The liquid withdrawn through the inlet is transferred to the inner compartment 1302 through the stem 1303 of the plunger 801. A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 14. In this embodiment a resiliently deformable insert 1401 is placed within the internal chamber 107 defined between the first housing part 102c and the base 101. The insert 1401 is formed by two interconnected sections 1401a and 1401b which define a central compartment / chamber 1302 and an outer air chamber / chamber 203 / 107a. The insert 1401 also defines a one-way inlet valve 1402, one-way outlet valve 1403, one-way air release valve 1404, one-way air inlet valve 1405, and one-way release valve. one way air Thus, when the housing 102 is pushed downwardly toward the base 101 (ie, when the actuator is operated), the insert is compressed and the pressure within the chambers 1302 and 203 / 107a is increased and thus caused that the valves 1403 and 1404 open when the pressure inside the chambers exceeds a minimum threshold pressure and the fluid and air present in these chambers are expelled through the internal passage 106 to the outlet 112. Once the desired amount of fluid, or the housing 102 has been depressed to its maximum, the applied pressure is released (ie, the actuator is released) and the insert then urges the base 101 and the housing 102 has to separate due to this inherent resilience . This causes more fluid to be drawn into the interior of the chamber 1302 through the inlet valve 1402 and that more air is drawn into the interior of the air chamber through the air inlet valve 1405. Any pressure differential between the inside of the container and the outside environment will be matched through the air release valve.