WO2013140173A2

WO2013140173A2 - Nozzle

Info

Publication number: WO2013140173A2
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050735
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Laidler
Original assignee: Leafgreen Ltd
Current assignee: Leafgreen Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-22
Filing date: 2013-03-21
Publication date: 2013-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-22
Also published as: GB201205116D0; WO2013140173A3

Description

Nozzle

The present invention relates to an outlet device for a container, vessel, manually actuated pump or trigger type fluid devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to improved nozzle arrangements that are adapted to be fitted to an outlet of a pressurised container or vessel, such as an aerosol or post foaming gel dispenser, or which are a part of a manually actuated pump or trigger type fluid dispensing device.

Nozzle arrangements are commonly used to facilitate the dispensing of various fluids from containers or vessels. For instance, nozzle arrangements are commonly fitted to pressurised fluid filled vessels or containers, such as so called "aerosol canisters" and pressurised canisters for dispensing a post foaming gel or mousse, to provide a means by which fluid stored in the vessel or container can be dispensed. In addition, so called manual pump and trigger activated nozzle arrangements are also commonly used to enable the fluid contents of a non pressurised vessel or container to be conveniently dispensed in response to the operation of the pump or trigger by an operator.

A typical nozzle arrangement comprises an inlet through which fluid accesses the nozzle arrangement, an outlet through which the fluid is dispensed into the external environment, and an internal flow passageway through which fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet. In addition, conventional nozzle arrangements comprise an actuator means. The operation of the actuator means causes fluid to flow from the container to which the nozzle arrangement is attached into the inlet of the arrangement, where it flows along the fluid flow passageway to the outlet in an active phase. After each use in a passive phase, it is usual for a proportion of the fluid from the container to remain within the nozzle arrangement. This can cause a number of problems. Firstly, the fluid retained in the nozzle arrangement after use may dry out or harden and can result in a build up of residue within the passageway, which may ultimately lead to the blockage of the inlet, the outlet, or the internal passageway. This can be particularly problematical with certain fluids such as, for example, a food product (such as cream, sauces etc,), a cosmetic or pharmaceutical cream or lotion, or an expandable product such as hair mousse, shaving gel or foam etc. Secondly there is also a tendency for certain fluid products that remain in the passageway to leak out of the outlet of the nozzle arrangement over time. Leakage is especially prevalent when the fluid product being dispensed is an expandable or post foaming product such as, for example, shaving gel or hair mousse, because the proportion of the product remaining in the nozzle arrangement after use typically expands over time and this invariably causes a proportion of the fluid to leak out through the outlet. Alternatively, this leakage may simply occur as a result of gravity causing fluid to flow towards the outlet after use. Any fluid that does leak through the outlet over time can become adhered to the outlet or the surrounding vicinity creating a mess. The leaked fluid may also run down the side of the container or onto the surface on which the container is placed. A third problem is that fluid remaining in the nozzle arrangement, or which leaks out of the nozzle arrangement over time, may degrade or become contaminated with microbes.

One approach to solve this problem is to provide a cleanable nozzle arrangement. Examples of such nozzle arrangements are described in International patent publication Nos. WO 97/31841 and WO 01/89958. These nozzle arrangements are formed from two constituent parts, which can be split apart to enable the inside of the arrangement, particularly the fluid flow passageway and the outlet orifice, to be accessed for cleaning. Hence any fluid product remaining in the nozzle arrangement after use or residue that has built up can be removed. However it is neither practicable nor convenient to clean the nozzle arrangement after each use. For this reason, there is a desire to seek alternative approaches to alleviate the problem.

A further approach to the problem is described in EP 0 747 292 Al , which relates to a pump action dispenser nozzle having various means for closing at least the outlet end of the fluid flow passage between actuations. In one embodiment, a block of flexible material such as silicone is located in the nozzle. The block has a slit which is normally closed. When the pump is actuated, the pressure of the liquid product opens the slit so that it functions as an outlet passage. The construction of the nozzle arrangement described is complex requiring a separate block to be manufactured and inserted within the body of the nozzle and it doesn't fully prevent post foaming although it does reduce it.

Previous attempts to solve these problems also include versions of caps for products like foams and shaving gels as disclosed in patent applications WO 2004/0181 1 1 and PCT/ GB2005/003031. Unfortunately, whilst these solve most of the problems of post foaming they are not cost effective enough for the market and did not managed to prevent post foaming completely, especially when used in connection with some of the most difficult products like shaving gel.

None of the known attempts at preventing post foaming have been completely successful with all products, especially the most difficult ones like shaving gel. Whilst previous solutions have reduced post foaming, this is not enough for acceptance in a market where price is so important and, where in order to be able to sell at a premium, there has to be no post foaming or at least no visible post foaming. In an alternative approach disclosed in PCT/ GB2005/003031 a chamber was created between the input and output of a spray through cap for a pressurised dispenser that would retain the post foaming, which would be taken up into the stream of the fresh product when that was next delivered during a subsequent active phase. It is difficult though to get this to work with complete reliability at an acceptable cost and so the technology has been abandoned. The biggest problem with this arrangement is to stop fresh fluid filling the chamber that is intended for the post foam.

The problems discussed above are most prevalent with fluid materials that expand over time, such as post foaming gels and mousses. Accordingly, for convenience in the present application the terms "post foam" or "post foaming" are used to refer to the material retained in the nozzle after each actuation. However, it should be understood that the invention can also be applied for use in dispensing fluids that do not expand over time but where leakage during the passive phase can still be a problem. Accordingly, the terms "post foam" or post foaming" should not be construed as being limited to fluids that expand over time unless the context explicitly requires it.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a nozzle that overcomes, or at least mitigates, some or all of the drawbacks of the prior known nozzle arrangements for dealing with post foaming.

It is a further objective to provide an improved nozzle for dispensing a fluid under pressure which is cost effective and simple to manufacture, whilst overcoming, or at least reducing, the problems associated with post foaming. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a nozzle that overcomes, or at least mitigates, some or all of the drawbacks of the prior known nozzle arrangements for dealing with post foaming in which the design is kept as close as possible to current nozzle designs to reduce the cost of filling the container.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a nozzle arrangement adapted to be fitted to a pressurised vessel or container to permit fluid present in said pressurised vessel or container to be dispensed through it under pressure, said nozzle arrangement having a body which defines an inlet, two outlets, and two internal flow passageways through which fluid can flow to said outlets, said body comprising actuator means which is adapted, upon operation, to engage and open an outlet valve of the pressurised vessel or container to which the arrangement is attached and thereby enable fluid present in the pressurised vessel or container to be released into the inlet of said arrangement.

The body of the nozzle arrangement has a non deformable tubular outlet channel that contains a deformable wall member or tube which defines the entire length or substantially the entire length of the fluid flow passageway, said resiliently deformable wall being configured such that, when fluid is caused to flow through the nozzle arrangement in response to the operation of said actuator means, said wall undergoes a resilient deformation from an initial resiliently biased configuration whereby fluid can flow through said passageway and be dispensed through the outlet, said wall being further configured to revert to the initial resiliently biased configuration when the operation of the actuator means is ceased and thereby cause most fluid remaining in the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of the passageway to be expelled.

The nozzle arrangements of the present invention have been found to solve the aforementioned problems associated with eliminating post foaming. Specifically, the provision of a nozzle arrangement as defined above has been found to provide a means by which most fluid remaining in the fluid flow passageway is expelled from the nozzle arrangement or is contained in an additional chamber after each operation of the actuation means. In practice, the expulsion of fluid from the main fluid passageway occurs as soon as the actuation phase has finished and is hardly noticed to the operator. In accordance with this invention, the resiliently deformable wall or tube extends for substantially the entire length of the internal fluid flow passageway, thereby enabling all or most of the fluid remaining in the fluid flow passageway to be expelled once the operation of the actuation means ceases and the resiliently deformable wall or tube reverts to its initial resiliently biased configuration. By substantially the entire length of the internal fluid flow passageway we mean that the resiliently deformable wall or tube extends for 75% or more of the length of the fluid flow passageway or more preferably, 90% or more of the length of the fluid flow passageway, or even more preferably 98% or more of the length of the fluid flow passageway. It is most preferred that the resiliently deformable wall or tube extends the entire length of the passageway.

Preferably, the main outlet is defined, at least in part, by a resiliently deformable wall of the body, which is configured such that, when fluid is caused to flow through the nozzle arrangement in response to the operation of said actuator means, said wall undergoes a resilient deformation from an initial resiliently biased configuration in which the outlet is closed to a distended configuration whereby fluid can flow through said outlet, said wall being further configured to revert to the initial resiliently biased configuration when the operation of the actuator means ceases and thereby causing most fluid remaining in said main outlet to be expelled.

It is especially preferred that the main outlet is an open end of said portion of the passageway (i.e. The resiliently deformable wall which defines the outlet is the end of the resiliently deformable wall which defines said portion of the fluid flow passageway).

The provision of the passageway defined by a resiliently deformable wall that extends up to or adjoins the outlet, as well as the provision of a resiliently deformable outlet, enables most of the fluid remaining in the vicinity of the outlet to be expelled and this, reduces any subsequent leakage occurring.

Preferably, the resiliently deformable wall which defines an internal surface of the fluid flow passageway is adapted such that, when the operation of the actuator has ceased and the resiliently deformable wall reverts to the initial resiliently biased configuration, most fluid remaining in said portion of the passageway is expelled through the outlet (although a small portion of fluid may be pushed back towards the container once the operation of the actuator means has ceased, it is preferable that most is expelled through the outlet). It is most preferred that the fluid remaining in the passageway is caused to flow out of the passageway and through the outlet in a continuous flow, so that as soon as the actuation is ceased there is only a short lag time while fluid which would otherwise remain in the passageway continues to be dispensed through the outlet.

in the resiliently biased configuration, the resiliently deformable wall is resiliently biased against the opposing walls to define a closed passageway. When the actuator is operated and fluid is caused to flow through the device under pressure, the surface of the passageway formed by the resiliently deformable wall is configured to deform away from the opposing surface as the resiliently deformable wall becomes distended and thereby defines an open channel or passageway through which the fluid can flow though to the outlet. Once the operation means of the actuation ceases and the resiliently deformable wall reverts to its original resiliently biased configuration, most fluid that remains in the passageway is expelled.

This is largely how most of the previous innovations have tackled this problem. But none have fully worked because some fluid is always left trapped between the resiliently deformable wall and the opposing wall or in the valve, or in the valve cup. This then works its way to the outlet and foams at the front of the outlet or even down the pressurised canister. If this outlet is closed in some way then the fluid works its way out between the valve and the valve cup or some other route if that is easier.

So we make use of the chamber inside of the resiliently deformable tube by making one or more entry holes into it preferably from the top of the resiliently deformable tube. There are also grooves in the outer tube of the main body that extend around the internal surface of the tube that meet the hole or holes in the resiliently deformable tube and the combination enables the fluid to flow into the resiliently deformable tube. Any remaining fluid in the device always flows to the easiest place where it can because it keeps expanding. That place is now the inside of the resiliently deformable tube where it expands but the tube is made large enough to contain it so it doesn't flow outside of the tube. These inlet holes have to be substantially closed during the active phase or too much fresh fluid will enter the second chamber in the resiliently deformable tube and this will expand and over-fill the chamber and flow out of the front of the tube and any captured post foam will then do the same during the passive phase. It was very difficult to design holes that close during the active phase and open during the passive phase and that is why the holes are on the top of the resiliently deformable tube. During the active phase the resiliently deformable tube is deformed inwards and upwards away from the fluid entering the tube in the main body. This causes the resiliently deformable tube to push harder against the side walls of the outer tube and it seals off part of the grooves in the outer wall preventing any flow of liquor in them and to the holes in the resiliently deformable tube. Once the active phase is over the resiliently deformable tube reforms and the grooves are clear so the fluid can flow in them. Also, because the resiliently deformable tube is pushed upwards the input holes are also sealed against the top of the passageway walls in the main body during the active phase and are only open during the passive phase afterwards. Any way of creating holes in the resiliently deformable tube that are opened and closed when required is acceptable and could be used but this is a preferred option. Another option would be to have the holes in the side of the resiliently deformable tube as these would close when the resiliently deformable tube is deformed during the active phase. It also works to a lesser extent if the holes are on the bottom of the resiliently deformable tube and angled as they also close during the active phase.

The grooves in the tubular chamber of the main body have to be small so the resiliently deformable tube will block them during the active phase but only the portion of each groove which is closed by the tube needs to be small so the rest of the groove can be made larger especially nearer to the top of the chamber. Similarly, the holes at the top of the resiliently deformable tube can be quite large as the fluid cannot reach them during the activation phase.

We have found that two holes works well but there could be only one or more than two and the number of holes can be varied according to the application. Similarly, more holes could be put in the resiliently deformable tube and the grooves could also be put in the resiliently deformable tube. The arrangement of grooves and holes for transferring fluid into the tube during the passive phase works well and during the passive phase the remaining liquor flows into the resiliently deformable tube where it may expand. The resiliently deformable tube is sized so that preferably less than half of it is filled with the expanded fluid although other proportions could also be used. Some of the foam may well then shrink back and if enough time is elapsed between actuations, it will have dried and become powdery taking up far less space. New fluid entering the resiliently deformable tube will combine with it so it is no longer powdery. Eventually, and usually after a small number of actuations, the fluid inside the resiliently deformable tube will either flow out of the outlet usually as a foam or will prevent the tube properly contracting during the active phase. So we use the contraction of the resiliently deformable tube during the active phase to drive out some of the post foam and mix it with the fresh fluid stream as it is delivered. This is actually very difficult to do as the foam tends to go out of the outlet and then be sucked back inside as the resiliently deformable tube reforms at the end of the active cycle. This can also be unsightly and may be unacceptable to clients.

One arrangement for addressing this problem is by adding an end cap onto the end of the main outlet chamber that covers part of that chamber and part of the chamber inside the resiliently deformable tube. Putting a small ramp like projection near to the base of the end cap at the outlet directs the main stream of the new fluid slightly upwards and into the path of the post foam from the second outlet. The projection doesn't normally extend all of the way across because it can trap residual fluid there. The post foam sits on top of the main stream and is dragged out of the resiliently deformable tube by the main stream and is also stretched by the stream which moves much faster so it forms a tiny bead on top of the main stream that rapidly absorbs fluid from the main stream and effectively becomes the same as the main stream. This works incredibly well and it is very difficult to see the post foam. The projection could be provided by means other than an end cap fitted to the spout and might be formed as an integral part of the spout and other arrangements for bring the main stream of fresh fluid into contact with an post foam being ejected can be used.

The end cap also solves another problem associated with devices that use a resiliently deformable element to create an outlet channel. Some of the post foam always works its way forwards and out of the closed gap between the resiliently deformable element and the opposing wall. It is a small amount but significant when the clients want none. The resiliently deformable tube or element stretches outside of the tube of the main body in the active phase and this weakens its return strength and allows small pockets of the fluid to build up especially near to the outlet. The end cap is shaped so that the tube at the bottom cannot stretch out because it is restricted by the shape of the end cap. Preferably the rest of the tube is not so restricted and the combination means that the residual trapped fluid is greatly reduced. This isn't an obvious solution to a major problem as if the resiliently deformable tube is too strong then it won't deflect enough to cause sufficient fluid in the second chamber to be ejected and it may trap fluid in the can as the can empties and has less pressure. Yet if it is too weak too much fluid can be trapped in the first passageway or the fluid is ejected too slowly leaving a lot of fluid around the spout and this promptly foams.

Another advantage of this configuration is that the fluid is ejected much faster as the resiliently deformable tube reforms much quicker. Usually with these devices you have to wipe the end of the outlet to remove residual fluid which would foam but this end cap with the fast shut off means there is none to wipe off normally.

With our preferred design the end cap is particularly advantageous because we prefer to collapse a certain amount of the resiliently deformable tube to be able to eject the post foam. Too little deformation and we eject too little post foam so it quickly builds up after a few uses and overflows out of the outlet. Too much deformation and there is too much fluid in the main chamber to be fully ejected.

It's difficult to balance the various requirements and other important factors in this are the material, length, diameter, thickness and shore hardness of the resiliently deformable tube as all of these determine how much it deforms and how readily it returns to its original position.

Some fluid products are much easier to handle than others and for them you could manage without the end cap, although it may not be as effective.

In a preferred embodiment, only one of the walls is resiliently deformable, said resiliently deformable wall being resiliently biased against the opposing non deformable wall. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first part of the nozzle arrangement will be a main body, which is adapted to fit onto the container and defines the inlet and the first abutment surface, a portion of which forms a wall of the internal fluid flow passageway and the outlet. The second part is the resiliently deformable part which goes inside the outlet passageway of the base part so that the outlet is formed between them.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part is a resiliently deformable tube that goes inside the outlet passageway of the base part which is tubular and the resiliently deformable tube is fixed onto a post of the base part at the upstream end of the outlet passageway. The fluid passageway is now formed between the resiliently deformable tube and the passageway of the base part and in the rest position the resiliently deformable tube is a fairly tight fit against the wall of the main body.

It is especially preferred that a first of said abutment surfaces is non deformable and comprises one or more grooves in its abutment surface, which extend around the surface in a ring or rings. Additional grooves may also be added that lead from the main outlet back to the nearest annular groove.

The rigid parts including the main body and the cap can be made in any appropriate plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane etc. The resiliently deformable part, e.g. the tube, can be made in a range of plastics or rubbers including polyurethane, silicone, TPV etc.

The internal passageway may be of any suitable shape or configuration for the required purpose but in most cases it will be straight and tubular as this is simplest and the most effective.

The nozzle arrangement of the present invention may be configured as any suitable form of nozzle arrangement. Preferably, however, the nozzle arrangement is in the form of a spray through cap, which is adapted to be fitted to a hand held pressurised container. Examples of spray through cap nozzle arrangements are again described in International patent publication Nos. WO 97/31841 and WO 01/89958. The nozzle arrangement may be fitted to the pressurised container by any suitable means such as, for example, a snap fit mechanism. The term "spray through cap" is used to generally to describe this type of through flow cap nozzle and will be adopted herein for convenience. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to applications in which the nozzle produces a spray as such. Indeed, the invention will often be used to dispense fluid in the form of foam or a post foaming gel or mousse. Accordingly, the term "spray though cap" should not be considered limiting but can be considered to cover any suitable nozzle cap with a through flow arrangement.

The actuator means may be of any means that can be operated to selectively open the outlet valve of the pressurised container or vessel. Preferably, the actuator means is a portion of the nozzle arrangement that can be depressed by an operator so as to engage and open the outlet valve. Such actuators are well known in the art.

So far, we have described this invention primarily for an aerosol or other pressurised canister but it could also be used with a manually operated pump dispenser or a trigger activated manual pump dispenser or even a manually operated pump or trigger foamer. All of these devices have an outlet chamber usually with a spout and they may be actuated differently but that is irrelevant to the way the invention works. The arrangement in the main outlet channel will be the same but it will be supplied with pressurized fluid from a pump chamber instead of from a pressurised canister.

Some products such as food, pharmaceuticals etc may react to the air and for these there could be an additional closed end cap put over the end of the spout or onto the end cap if there is need to create an air seal. This could be a hinged Hd on the current end cap if used or if no end cap is used it could be a simple plug that pushes into the inside of the resiliently deformable tube to seal the inside of the tube and to seal the tube to the walls of the tubular chamber of the main body. This could be a separate component or it could be hinged to the main body or joined to it with a lanyard or equivalent.

The invention has mostly been described with a resiliently deformable tube inside a tubular passageway with the main passageway created between the outside of the resiliently deformable tube and the walls of the tubular chamber and the post foaming passageway being inside the resiliently deformable tube. But any way that creates two equivalent passageways and the corresponding action could be used instead. The passageways are adjacent to each other and the main passageway is closed during the passive phase and open during the active phase whilst the second chamber is open during the passive phase and at least partially closed or deformed during the active phase. A resiliently deformable wall separates the two passageways and during the active phase as it is deformed to open the first passageway so it deforms and part closes or reduces in size the second passageway. The same resiliently deformable wall then reforms during the passive phase closing the first passageway and opening the second. So any resiliently deformable element such as a block of material made of a suitable material such as silicone with a passageway on the inside could work or a half tube shape could be used where the main passageway is created as before between the resiliently deformable half tube and the walls of the tubular passageway and the second passageway is also created between the resiliently deformable half tube and the walls of the tubular passageway but on the opposite side of the resiliently deformable half tube.

An aspect of the invention comprises a nozzle for dispensing a fluid under pressure in accordance with claim 1. Further preferred features of this aspect of the invention are defined in the claims dependent on claim 1.

In an alternative aspect of the invention that is suitable for use with simpler fluid products that do not cause significant post foaming issues, there is provided a dispenser nozzle as described with the resiliently deformable tube and the end cap but with no transfer inlet holes in the resiliently deformable tube so there is only the first passage portion is used. This is different to prior art where no end cap is used as it makes a great deal of difference to the fluid ejected in the active phase. In accordance with this further aspect of the invention, there is provided a nozzle for dispensing a fluid under pressure, the nozzle comprising a body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path through which fluid can flow under pressure from the inlet to the outlet to be dispensed from the outlet, the flow path including an elongate passageway defined in the body between the inlet and the outlet, the nozzle comprising a resiliently deformable member dividing the elongate passage so as to define a first passage portion fluidly connected with the nozzle outlet and forming a part of the fluid flow path, the resiliently deformable member being configured such that it is resiliently deformable between an initial resiliently biased configuration in which it engages with at least part of a wall defining the elongate passage to close the first passage portion and a dispensing configuration in which first passage portion is open to allow fluid under pressure to flow through the first passage portion to the outlet, wherein the body comprises an outlet spout, at least a downstream part of the elongate passage being defined within the spout and wherein the nozzle comprises a cap mounted to the spout and having an end wall overlying an outlet end of the spout, the end wall having an opening substantially aligned with the elongate passage and defining part of the nozzle outlet, the opening being configured so that the end wall partially covers the open downstream end of the elongate passage so as to retain the deformable member within the passage.

The end wall may comprise a protrusion which partially covers the outlet of the first passage portion, the protrusion being shaped so as to deflect fluid exiting the first passage portion at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate passage.

An embodiment of how the invention may be put into practice will now be described by way of example only, in reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration showing in cross section a side view of a spray through spray cap nozzle arrangement according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic exploded illustration showing in cross section a side view of the spray through cap nozzle arrangement of Figure 1 showing the different components according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration in cross section of an end cap forming part of the spray through cap nozzle arrangement of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an end view of the cap of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration in cross section showing a side view of part of the spray through cap nozzle arrangement of Figure 1 but in an enlarged scale.

In figures 1-5 a spray through cap nozzle arrangemntlOO is shown which is adapted to be fitted to the end of a standard cylindrical pressurised canister or dispenser (not shown) for dispensing a fluid under pressure. The spray through cap nozzle arrangement 100 has a main body having a lower part or base portion 102 and an upper part or actuation portion 101 which are joined at 106 with an integral hinge or connecting portion and split at 107 and around the cap apart from at 106. The connection portion 106 is resiliently deformable so as to permit the actuator portion 101 to be pressed downwards relative to the base portion and subsequently spring back to its initial position when the downward pressure applied by the operator is released. In use, the base portion 102 is mounted to the top of a pressurised canister and a valve cup 105 in the lower surface of the actuation portion 101 which engages with the outlet valve of the pressurised canister. The valve cup 105snaps onto the valve on first actuation and forms a tight friction fit seal on the valve. When the actuation portion 101 is pressed downwards the pressurised canister valve is opened and permits the fluid present in the canister to flow under pressure through the nozzle arrangement. When the actuation portion 101 is released it returns to its rest position as the spring loaded valve in the pressurised canister closes. The base part 102 has a circular ledge 108 that sits on the circular shoulder of the pressurised canister and the base part is held in place by a circular ridge 103 that sits inside a corresponding circular recess on the pressurised canister. This is all standard for spray through caps on pressurised canisters.

In the actuation part 101 there is a tubular recess or chamber 201 in the form of a blind bore as shown in figure 2 at 201. The chamber 201 has open downstream or outlet end 202 inside an annular spout 208 and a closed upstream end with a tapered post 203. A cylindrical passage or inlet hole 207 fluidly connects the valve cup 105 with the chamber 201 . The valve cup 105 and the passage 207 form a nozzle inlet 1 1 1 which is configured to direct fluid from the pressurised dispenser into the chamber 201. The inlet 11 1 directs fluid in to the chamber at a position located between the closed inner, upstream end and the outlet end 202 and which is at a lowermost point of the circumference of the chamber. Along the tubular recess 201 there are two annular grooves 204 and 205 and these go circumferentially around the inside of the tubular recess. They may go around the entire circumference or may only be formed through 270 degrees so the circumferentially lower base of the tube has no groove at all. There is another groove 206 in the tubular recess 201 and this is near to the open end 202 joining the edge of the open end to the annular groove 205. The groove 206 extends longitudinally along the tubular recess 201 and is located in a side region above the circumferentially lower base region of the tubular chamber. The upstream recess 204 is shown as being aligned with the inlet hole 207 but it could be further upstream or downstream of the inlet hole 207. The tubular chamber 201 is shown as being angled upwards from the upstream end to the downstream end and this is preferred with the angle being set so that when the operator activates the device the tubular chamber 201 is substantially horizontal when the fluid is delivered. Appropriate sizing of the tubular chamber 201 is important as will be explained later. In the present embodiment the chamber 201 has an internal diameter of 9 mm but the size of the chamber will vary according to the particular application.

The spray through cap nozzle 100 is expected to be used generally in an upright position as illustrated in the drawings with the base portion 102 lowermost and directional terms such as "upper", "uppermost", upwardly", "lower", lowermost", "downwardly" and the like used in the description and claims should be construed according. It will be appreciated however that the nozzle might be used in other orientations. As already noted, the cylindrical chamber 201 is angled so that its longitudinal axis X slopes upwardly in a direction towards the outlet end 202 of the chamber 201 relative to a plane that includes the circular ridge 103. This is configured so that in use the nozzle may be angled so that the longitudinal axis X of the chamber 201 extends generally horizontally with the base portion 201 and inlet 1 1 1 below the chamber 201.

As shown in figures 1 and 5, a resiliently deformable flexible tube 1 10 sits co-axially inside the tubular recess or chamber 201 and extends substantially along its entire length. The resilient tube a strong friction fit over the post 203 and seals around it so no fluid can pass between the tube and the post and so that the tube is held on the post to retain its position within the chamber 201. The resiliently deformable flexible tube 1 10 also forms a tight fit inside the walls of the tubular chamber 201 when in its non- tensioned, initial resiliently biased configuration such that the only space between the resiliently deformable flexible tube 1 10 and the main body is provided by the grooves 204, 205, 206 and the inlet hole 207.

The resiliently deformable tube 110 divides the cylindrical chamber 201 into two passage portions 230, 232. A first passage portion is defined between the exterior of the tube 1 10 and the wall of the chamber 201 and a second passage portion is defined within the interior of the tube 1 10. When the resiliently deformable tube is in its initial resiliently biased configuration, as shown, the first passage portion 232 is effectively closed because the tube engages tightly with the wall of the chamber 201 so that the volume of the first passage chamber is at a minimum. In this condition, the initial volume of the second passage portion 232 is at a maximum. However, when the actuation portion 101 of the dispenser cap is depressed to open the valve on the pressurised dispenser, fluid under pressure enters the chamber 201 through the inlet hole 207. The nozzle is configured so that the pressure of the fluid is sufficient to deform the tube 1 10 inwardly and upwardly against its natural resilience. Because the tube 1 10 is held against the wall of the chamber by the post 203 at the closed inner end, the fluid will tend to flow towards the outlet end of the chamber so as to open the first passage portion 230 from the inlet 3 1 1 to the outlet between the tube 1 10 and the wall of the chamber. The fluid flowing through the first passage portion will pass out of the outlet end of the chamber to be dispensed. The inward deformation of the tube 110 to open the first passage portion will also have the effect of recuing the volume of the second passage portion 232.

In its deformed or dispensing configuration, a lower part of the resilientiy deformable tube 1 10 is pressed upwardly and outwardly against the side walls of the chamber 201 so that the fluid is contained in the first passage portion 230 defined within a circumferential ly lower part of the chamber 201 below the tube 1 10. This limits the size of the first passage portion 230 and so ensures that the fluid can be dispensed correctly and that most of the fluid present in the first passage portion 230 when the resilient tube returns to its initial resilientiy biased configuration is ejected through the outlet. Thus the first passage is defined between a circumferentially lower part of the tube and the opposed part of the wall of the chamber 201. The circumferentially lower part of the tube 1 10 thus forms a first resilientiy deformable wall of the first passage portion 230 and the opposed portion of the chamber wall forms a second substantially rigid wall of the first passage portion 230. An outlet 401 of the first passage portion is defined between the tube and the opposed rigid wall at the outlet end of the chamber 201.

The resilientiy deformable flexible tube 1 10 has two holes 210 and 21 1 in the top half of it (i.e. circumferentially opposite the inlet 207) and these are positioned so they are aligned respectively with the grooves 204, 205 in the wall of the tubular chamber 201 when the resilientiy deformable flexible tube 1 10 is assembled inside the tubular chamber 201. The holes 210, 21 1 and the grooves 204, 205, 206 form a fluid transfer inlet arrangement which permits any fluid still present in the first passage portion 230 to be transferred into the second passage portion 232 after each actuation. In its dispensing configuration, the resilient tube is pressed into part of the grooves 204 and 205 in the walls of the tubular chamber 201 to block the grooves off and prevent fluid flowing to the inlet holes 210 and 21 1 in the resiliently deformable tube 1 10. Furthermore, the upper part of the tube is pressed into the upper surface of the channel so that the inlet holes 210, 21 1 are also closed off. It will be appreciated that amount by which the tube 110 is deformed can be controlled by the appropriate selection of the material and dimensions of the tube (e.g. length, diameter, thickness and shore hardness of the tube) bearing in mind the pressure and nature of the fluid to be dispensed.

Once the downward pressure on the actuator portion 101 is removed, the resiliently deformable flexible tube 1 10 quickly snaps back into its initial resiliently biased configuration ejecting almost all of the fluid in the first passage portion 230 through the outlet. Any fluid still present in the first passage portion 230 or the inlet hole 207, or indeed elsewhere in the system will flow through the channels 204, 205, 206 and through the holes 210 and 21 1 in the resiliently deformable flexible tube 110 to enter the second passage portion 232 inside the tube. Where the nozzle has been used previously and there is already some old post foam present inside the tube 110, the new post foam entering the second passage portion 230 will mix with old post foam and redissolves most of the old post foam it as it forms a new foam. The fluid entering the downstream hole 211 will form a foam and because the second passage portion 232 is angled upwards, gravity will cause the foam to form upstream rather than downstream so the foam doesn't go out of the outlet end of the tube. The combined foam will fill up about half to two thirds of the second passage portion 232 inside the tube 1 10 and this can be predetermined by appropriate sizing of the second passage portion. Over time, the foam will shrink back inside.

Each time the dispenser is actuated, the inward deformation of the resiliently deformable tube 1 10 by the new fluid entering the first passage portion 230 reduces the volume of the second passage portion 232 and causes some of the previous post foam materia] inside the tube to be pushed out of the open end 224 of the resiliently deformabie tube 1 10. Typically this material is shaped like a rod of foam. The new fluid exiting the first passage portion 230 as a stream makes contact with the underside of the post foam and draws it out and because it travels much faster it stretches out the post foam like a small bead along its length. The post foam absorbs some of the new fluid and quickly becomes mixed with the new fluid stream and part of it. When each subsequent actuation is terminated, any post foaming fluid left at the outlet 224 of the tube 110 is sucked back inside the resiliently deformabie flexible tube 1 10 as the tube reforms.

In a preferred embodiment an end cap 220 is fixed onto the end of the circular spout 208. The end cap has an annular wall 223 which engages about an end region of the spout with a tight fit to form a seal against the spout so that fluid at low pressure cannot pass between them. The end cap 220 is typically made of a rigid plastic such as polypropylene but could be made in a rigid flexible material or even a flexible material. Rigid plastic is preferred. The end cap 220 as an outer end wall region, the inside face surface 221 of which abuts the outer end face 209 of the spout 208 as can be seen in figs 1 and 5. An outlet hole 226 is defined in the outer end wall of the end cap 220 substantially aligned with outlet end of the cylindrical chamber 201 to define an outlet for the nozzle. The outlet hole in the cap is 226 is circular about most of its circumference, particularly over an upper half, having a diameter corresponding broadly with that of the cylindrical chamber 201 as indicated at 402. In a lower half, the opening is shaped so that the end wall of the cap 220 defines a protrusion 225 that extends radially inwardly so as to cover the outer end 212 of a lower part of the resiliently deformabie flexible tube 1 10 and also slightly over a lower part of the open outer end 224 of the second passage portion 232, at least when resiliently deformabie tube 1 10 is in its initial resiliently biased configuration, and so preventing that lower part of the resiliently deformabie flexible tube 1 10 from moving forwards out of the chamber 201.

The height and shape of the protrusion 225 causes the stream of fluid passing out of the first passage portion 230 to be angled slightly upwards from the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, which as noted previously will tend to be horizontal in use. In this embodiment, the protrusion 225 is designed so that the fluid exiting the first passage portion 230 hits the protrusion 225 and is angled upwards at about 15 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the chamber. The protrusion is shaped with a ramp 302 on its radially inner free edge which slopes downwardly in a direction towards an outer surface of the cap to help control the angle at which the fluid stream is deflected and to prevent it being deflected too high. Deflecting the fluid exiting the first passage portion upwardly helps it to mix with and draw out any post foam which is dispensed from the second passage portion 232.

It is convenient to provide the protrusion 225 as part of a separate end cap 220 mountable on the spout as this allows unhindered access to the elongate passage 201 to mount the tube before the cap 220 is attached. However, the protrusion 225 could be provided as an integral part of the main body at the end of the elongate passage 201. In one embodiment, the protrusion would be movable so that it could be moved between a retracted position in which it does not obscure the elongate passage 201 to allow the tube 1 10 to be mounted and an active position in which it projects over part of the first passage portion 230 as described above. The protrusion 225 could be hinged so as to be flipped between retracted and active positions. Other arrangements for mounting the protrusion 225 can also be devised.

An alternative arrangement to the protrusion 225 to cause mixing of the post foam and the new fluid is to form the tube 1 10 so that it has only a small hole at its downstream outlet end through which the post from in the second passage portion 232 exits. The hole is configured to angle the post foam into the main stream of fresh fluid as it leaves the first passage portion 230 at 401.

In a further altemative embodiment, the resilient deformable tube may not be open at is downstream end or any opening may be blocked off completely so that no post foam inside the tube is dispensed. In this embodiment, the post foam is simply allowed to build up inside the tube 1 10. Each time the dispenser is actuated, the post foam inside the tube 1 10 is crushed as the fluid passing through the first passage portion deforms the tube inwardly to reduce the volume of the second passage portion 232 inside the tube. This is less desirable as it becomes progressively more difficult to deform the resilientlv deformable tube 1 10 making it harder to eject the fresh fluid through the first passage portion 230. Also, the pressure in the pressurised canister will reduce as the contents empty and near to the end of the pressurised dispenser life, the pressure is much lower and it may lead to excess product being left in the canister because the pressure is not sufficient to deform the resiliently deformable tube 1 10 to open the first passage portion 230. So another option is to restrict the size of the outlet to the second passage portion 232 at the outlet end of the tube so that it is only a small hole that only lets out post foam when there is a set amount inside the tube so that the amount of foam built up in the second passage portion is never sufficient to prevent the nozzle from working. With this embodiment, post foam material inside the tube 1 10 is not dispensed on every actuation but only once a predetermined volume of material has built up so that the volume of material inside the tube does not increase beyond a critical level that would hinder inward deformation of the tube under a normal range of fluid pressures for the dispenser.

Whereas the invention has been described in relation to what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed arrangements but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent constructions included within the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, whilst the nozzle as been described with reference to a spray through type cap for use with a pressurised dispenser or other pressurised canister, the nozzle can be adapted for use with a dispenser having a manually operated pump to deliver the fluid under pressure into the nozzle from an otherwise unpressurised container. Such a dispenser may be a foam dispenser and/or it may have a trigger type actuator. Furthermore, some or all of the grooves 204, 205, 206 which form part of the fluid transfer inlet arrangement may be formed in the outer surface of the resiliently deformable tube rather than in the wall of the chamber 201 or indeed the grooves 204, 205, 206 may be formed partly in both the wall of the chamber and the outer surface of the tube 1 10. Also, whilst the circumferential groves have been described as being aligned with their associated transfer inlet holes 210, 21 1 in the rube, the grooves could be offset upstream or downstream slightly from the holes provided the fluid can flow from the grooves through the holes when the tube is in its initial resiliently biased configuration during a passive phase when no fluid is being dispensed through the first passage portion.

Claims

1. A nozzle for dispensing a fluid under pressure, the nozzle comprising a body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path through which fluid can flow under pressure from the inlet to the outlet to be dispensed from the outlet, the flow path including an elongate passageway defined in the body between the inlet and the outlet, the nozzle comprising a resiliently deformable member dividing the elongate passage into two passage portions, at least a first one of the passage portions being fluidly connected with the nozzle outlet and forming a part of the fluid flow path, the resiliently deformable member being configured such that it is resiliently deformable between an initial resiliently biased configuration in which it engages with at least part of a wall defining the elongate passage to close the first passage portion and in which the second passage portion has an initial volume and a dispensing configuration in which first passage portion is open to allow fluid under pressure to flow through the first passage portion to the outlet and in which the volume of the second passage portion is reduced from its initial volume, the nozzle defining a transfer inlet arrangement through which fluid is able to enter the second passage portion from the first passage portion, at least when the resilient member is in its initial resilient biased configuration.

2. A nozzle as defined in claim 1, wherein the transfer inlet arrangement is closed when the resiliently deformable member is in its dispensing configuration and open when the resilient member is in its initial resilient biased configuration.

3. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second passage portion is not fluidly connected with the nozzle outlet.

4. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second passage portion is fluidly connected with the nozzle outlet, the arrangement being such that, in use, at least some of any fluid present in the second passage portion when the resilient member is deformed from its initial resiliently biased configuration to its dispensing configuration is caused to flow through the outlet to be dispensed together with fluid flowing through the first passage portion.

5. A nozzle arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of the second passage portion is reduced and the volume of the first passage portion increased when the resiliently deformable member is deformed from its initial configuration to its dispensing configuration and vice versa.

6. A nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate passage has a longitudinal axis, and the nozzle outlet is shaped so as to deflect fluid passing through it from the first passage portion at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

7. An outlet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inlet is configured to direct fluid into a region of the elongate passage which is usually lowermost in use, the nozzle outlet being shaped so as to deflect fluid passing through it from the first passage portion upwardly at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

8. An outlet as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the nozzle is configured so that fluid expelled from the second passage portion in use is directed on top of the fluid dispensed through the outlet from the first passage portion.

9. A nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate passage is generally cylindrical in shape, the resilient member comprising a resilient tube located co-axially within the elongate passage, the first passage portion being defined between an outer surface of the tube and the wall of the passage and the second passage portion being defined within the tube.

10. A nozzle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tube extends substantially the whole length of the elongate passage.

1 1. A nozzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein a downstream end of the elongate passage defines at least part of the nozzle outlet.

12. A nozzle as claimed in claim 10 or claim 1 1, wherein a downstream end of the tube has an opening so that fluid inside the tube can be expelled through the opening and out through the nozzle outlet.

13. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the resilient tube engages tightly with the wall of the elongate passage when in its initial resiliently biased configuration.

14. A nozzle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the resilient tube is configured, in use, to be resiliently deformed away from at least part of the wall of the elongate passage by fluid under pressure entering the passage from the inlet so that the fluid can flow between the tube and the wall of the passage to the outlet.

15. A nozzle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inlet is configured to direct fluid into the passage on one side of the tube, the transfer inlet arrangement comprising at least one opening in the tube located on the opposite side from the inlet.

16. A nozzle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the transfer inlet arrangement includes at least one circumferential groove defined in at least one of the wall of the passage and the exterior surface of the tube, each circumferential groove extending about the tube and being associated with at least one opening in the tube such that, in use, fluid in the first passage can flow along each groove and through the at least one associated opening to enter the tube.

17. A nozzle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the arrangement is configured such that in use when the tube is deformed into its dispensing configuration, each groove is at least partially blocked to resist fluid flowing along the groove to the at least one opening.

18. A nozzle as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the inlet transfer arrangement comprises a first opening in the tube positioned substantially inline with the fluid inlet to the elongate passage and a corresponding first circumferential groove associated with the first opening, and a second opening in the tube located towards a downstream end of the elongate passage and a second circumferential groove associated with the second opening.

19. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the transfer inlet arrangement comprises one or more longitudinally extending grooves defined in at least one of the wall of the elongate passage and the exterior surface of the tube, each longitudinal groove opening into a respective one of the circumferential grooves.

20. A nozzle as claimed in claim 19 when dependent on claim 18, wherein the transfer inlet arrangement comprises at least one longitudinal groove extending from a downstream end of the elongate passage into the second circumferential groove.

21. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein each circumferential groove is aligned with it's associated at least one opening in the tube.

22. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21 in which the grooves are defined in the wall of the elongate passage.

23. A nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the nozzle comprises a protrusion at an outlet end of the elongate passage, the protrusion partially covering the outlet of the first passage portion and being shaped so as to deflect fluid exiting the first passage portion at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate passage.

24. A nozzle as claimed in claim 23, in which the protrusion is mounted to the body between an active position in which it partially covers the outlet of the first passage portion and an retracted position in which it does not obstruct the elongate passage.

25. A nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises an outlet spout, at least a downstream part of the elongate passage being defined within the spout.

26. A nozzle as claimed in claim 25, wherein the nozzle comprises a cap mounted to the spout and having an end wall overlying an outlet end of the spout, the end wall having an opening substantially aligned with the elongate passage and defining part of the nozzle outlet.

27. A nozzle as claimed in clam 26, wherein the opening in the end wall of the cap is configured so that the end wall partially covers the open downstream end of the elongate passage so as to retain the deformable member within the passage.

28. A nozzle as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the opening in the end wall of the cap is configured so that the end wall comprises a protrusion which partially covers the outlet of the first passage portion, the protrusion being shaped so as to deflect fluid exiting the first passage portion at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate passage.

29. A nozzle as claimed in claim 28, wherein the nozzle is configured to be held generally upright in use with the longitudinal axis of the passageway extending generally horizontally, the protrusion being located and configured so as to deflect fluid flowing through the outlet from the first passage upwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate passage.

30. A nozzle as claimed in claim 29, wherein a radially inner edge of the protrusion has taper which is angled downwardly towards a lateral outer face of the protrusion.

31. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the cap has a closure member for selectively closing the nozzle outlet.

32. A nozzle as claimed in claim 25, wherein the nozzle has a closure member for mounting over the spout for selectively closing the nozzle outlet.

33. A nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate passage comprises a blind bore in the body, the nozzle having an inlet passage that enters the blind bore part way between a closed inner end and an open outlet end of the bore.

34. A nozzle as claimed in claim 32 when dependent on claim 9, the closed inner end of the bore comprising a post projecting co-axially into the bore, an inner end of the resilient tube being mounted over the post.

35. A nozzle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the nozzle is configured for use with a pressurised dispenser.

36. A nozzle as claimed in claim 35, wherein the nozzle forms part of a cap adapted to be mounted to a pressurised dispenser, the cap having a base portion with circular ridge for engagement with an end of a dispenser and an actuation portion movable relative to the base portion to actuate the dispenser, the nozzle being provided as part of the actuation portion, the nozzle inlet comprising a valve cup for engagement with an outlet valve of a pressurised dispenser to which the cap is mounted and an inlet passage fluidly connecting the valve cup with the elongate passage.

37. A nozzle as claimed in claim 36, wherein the elongate passage has a longitudinal axis that is inclined upwardly in a direction from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet relative to a plane which includes the circular ridge when the cap positioned upright in its base.

38. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the nozzle is configured for use with, or as a part of, a manually operated fluid dispenser pump.

39. A nozzle as claimed in claim 38, wherein the nozzle is configured for use with, or as a part of, a manually operated foamer pump.

40. A nozzle as claimed in claim 38 or claim 39, wherein the nozzle is configured for use with, or as a part of, a manually operated pump having a trigger type actuator.

41. A nozzle for dispensing a fluid under pressure, the nozzle comprising a body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path through which fluid can flow under pressure from the inlet to the outlet to be dispensed from the outlet, the flow path including an elongate passageway defined in the body between the inlet and the outlet, the nozzle comprising a resiliently deformable member dividing the elongate passage so as to define a first passage portion fluidly connected with the nozzle outlet and forming a part of the fluid flow path, the resiliently deformable member being configured such that it is resiliently deformable between an initial resiliently biased configuration in which it engages with at least part of a wall defining the elongate passage to close the first passage portion and a dispensing configuration in which first passage portion is open to allow fluid under pressure to flow through the first passage portion to the outlet, wherein the body comprises an outlet spout, at least a downstream part of the elongate passage being defined within the spout and wherein the nozzle comprises a cap mounted to the spout and having an end wall overlying an outlet end of the spout, the end wall having an opening substantially aligned with the elongate passage and defining part of the nozzle outlet, the opening being configured so that the end wall partially covers the open downstream end of the elongate passage so as to retain the deformable member within the passage.

42. A nozzle as defined in claim 41, wherein the end wall comprises a protrusion which partially covers the outlet of the first passage portion, the protrusion being shaped so as to deflect fluid exiting the first passage portion at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate passage.

43. A nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.