WO2014199182A1

WO2014199182A1 - Fluid dispensing apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2014199182A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/051839
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary Hawthorne; Ghasem Ghavami-Nasr
Original assignee: Salford Valve Co Ltd
Current assignee: Salford Valve Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-06-14
Filing date: 2014-06-13
Publication date: 2014-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-14
Also published as: GB201521909D0; US20160152404A1; MX2015017209A; EP3007992A1; BR112015031276A2; CN105307952A; GB2529598A; AU2014279874A1; CA2913006A1; GB201402358D0; JP2016528443A

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising an elongate valve member having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet locatable in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir, and at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to the valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member. A valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device and a method of manufacturing a valve assembly are also provided.

Description

FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fluid dispensing devices. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to aerosol fluid dispensing devices and valve assemblies for such devices.

Conventional aerosol fluid dispensing devices, such as an aerosol can, automatic wall or floor-mounted dispenser unit or the like, contain a pressurised fluid to be dispensed. Such devices typically comprise a valve assembly located at an upper portion of an aerosol can for dispensing a metered dosage of liquid product from the can. A conventional valve assembly used in such devices includes a valve body, an elongate stem movable within the valve body between valve open and valve closed positions, and an actuator for moving the stem. The actuator is attached to the stem via a simple interference fit. The actuator typically includes a nozzle for dispensing fluid in a predetermined pattern from the aerosol can or other fluid container when the actuator is operated manually or automatically. However, the actuator can be easily removed from the stem and the contents of the can, or other product container of an aerosol dispensing device, can be tampered with. For example, another substance, such as caustic soda or acid, can be maliciously injected into the can to contaminate its contents, entire contents can be removed from the can, or an empty can may be refilled, or the like. Furthermore, the actuator may be maliciously or erroneously removed from an aerosol can and used on a different can which may or may not be manufactured by the same company or contain the same product. In addition, an empty fluid container may be removed from an automatic wall-mounted aerosol dispensing unit for example and erroneously replaced with an incorrect fluid container containing a different product. The actuator may also be accidently knocked off and/or lost during transit, storage or use, restocking items on a shelf and/or at the point of sale, rendering an at least partially full aerosol can useless. A removed actuator can also be a hazard to young children and pets if swallowed. Summary of the Invention

It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate the above-mentioned problems. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that includes an actuator that is locked to a valve stem to prevent the actuator from being maliciously or accidently removed from the valve stem. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that includes an actuator that is locked to a valve stem to prevent the contents of a fluid container of the system being tampered with. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for an aerosol dispensing system that is simple, quick and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

an elongate valve member having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet locatable in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; and

at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to the valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the valve member.

Aptly, the at least one locking element comprises a coupling member having an inner surface for receiving a fluid outlet end portion of the valve member and an outer surface engagable with an inner surface of the fluid dispensing member.

Aptly, the inner surface of the coupling member comprises at least one projection that is received by at least one recess in an outer surface of said valve member to attach the coupling member to said valve member. Aptly, the at least one projection comprises at least one continuous annular projection that corresponds with at least one continuous annular recess of the valve member or a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent recesses in the valve member.

Aptly, the at least one projection comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent projections that correspond with a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent recesses of the valve member or at least one continuous annular recess in the valve member.

Aptly, the at least one projection comprises a plurality of axially spaced apart projections that correspond to a plurality of axially spaced apart recesses in the valve member.

Aptly, each of the plurality of axially spaced apart projections comprise a plurality of radially spaced intermittent projections that correspond with a plurality of radially spaced intermittent recesses in the valve member. Aptly, the plurality of axially spaced apart projections comprise four projections each radially spaced apart from one another by ninety degrees that correspond with a plurality of correspondingly arranged recesses in the valve member.

Aptly, the at least one projection of the coupling member comprises a substantially curved outer surface to correspondingly engage with a complementarily shaped inner surface of the at least one recess in the valve member.

Aptly, the at least one projection has a height from the inner surface of the collar of about around 0.1 to 5 mm and a width of about around 0.1 to 5 mm.

Aptly, the at least one projection has a height from the inner surface of the collar of about around 0.5 mm and a width of about around 1 mm. Aptly, the at least one recess has a depth from the outer surface of the valve member of about around 0.1 to 5 mm and a width of about around 0.1 to 5 mm.

Aptly, the at least one recess has a depth from the outer surface of the valve member of about around 0.1 mm and a width of about around 0.9 mm.

Aptly, the coupling member comprises at least one recess or aperture in the outer surface that receives at least one projection extending from the inner surface of the fluid dispensing member to lock the fluid dispensing member to the coupling member.

Aptly, the at least one recess of the coupling member has a diameter of about around 0.5mm and a depth of about around 0.1 mm. Aptly, the coupling member comprises an inwardly extending flange portion that abuts the fluid outlet end portion of the valve member when the coupling member is mounted on and connected to said valve member.

Aptly, the inwardly extending flange portion comprises an aperture to fluidly communicate the fluid outlet of the valve member with the fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member.

Aptly, the coupling member comprises a collar. Aptly, the fluid dispensing member comprises the at least one locking element.

Aptly, the at least one locking element comprises at least one projection extending from an inner surface of the elongate valve member. Aptly, the fluid dispensing member comprises an inner bore that receives a fluid outlet end portion of the elongate valve member, and the at least one projection extends from an inner surface of the inner bore. Aptly, the at least one projection comprises a barb-like portion that bites into the fluid outlet end portion to allow the valve member to be received into the fluid dispensing member whilst preventing the fluid dispensing member from being removed from the valve member.

Aptly, the valve member comprises one or more recesses extending into an outer surface of the valve member for the at least one projection to correspondingly lock into to connect the fluid dispensing member to the valve member. Aptly, the elongate valve member is substantially cylindrical.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a nozzle that comprises the fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member for dispensing fluid towards a target location. Aptly, the apparatus further comprises an actuator for moving the valve member in a valve body between a valve closed position and a valve open position.

Aptly, the fluid dispensing member comprises the actuator. Aptly, one or more of the valve member, locking element and fluid dispensing member comprise a plastics material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device, comprising the apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol fluid dispensing device comprising the valve assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate valve member for a fluid dispensing valve assembly, comprising: a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet locatable in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; and

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking element for a fluid dispensing valve assembly, comprising:

at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to an elongate valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve member.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

via at least one locking element, locking a fluid dispensing member with respect to an elongate valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve member.

Aptly, the method further comprises:

mounting a coupling member over a fluid outlet end portion of the valve member, wherein the coupling member comprises an inner surface for receiving the fluid outlet end portion of the valve member and an outer surface engagable with an inner surface of the fluid dispensing member. Aptly, the method further comprises:

engaging at least one projection that extends from the inner surface of said coupling member into at least one recess in an outer surface of said valve member to lock the coupling member to said valve member. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a use of at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to an elongate valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve member. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member for securely locking an actuator with respect to an aerosol valve stem to prevent the actuator being accidentally or maliciously removed from an aerosol can or automatic dispensing device, and more particularly from the stem thereof.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent liquid product contained in the can from being maliciously tampered with, removed or refilled and also prevents a different actuator being used on a particular aerosol can or automatic dispensing device.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent different and potentially incorrect product containers being erroneously or maliciously used with a particular type of actuator.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an aerosol can or other dispensing device that includes an actuator/nozzle component which is securely attached to the valve assembly of the device to prevent the same being accidentally knocked off the device during transit, storage, use, or the like and eliminates the risk of children or pets swallowing a relatively small actuator/nozzle component which could otherwise be fatal.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of a valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention attached to the upper portion of an aerosol can;

Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of an actuator connectable to the stem of the valve assembly of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view showing a stem collar attached to a distal end of the stem of the valve assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the stem collar of Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the stem of Figure 3;

Figure 6a illustrates a three-dimensional solid view of a further embodiment of a stem collar according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 6b illustrates a sectional view of the stem collar of Figure 6a;

Figure 7 illustrates a three-dimensional solid view of a stem according to certain embodiments of the present invention; and

Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of a further valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Figure 1 illustrates a valve assembly 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The valve assembly 1 00 is attached to an upper 'cup' portion 102 of an aerosol can which is typically made of tinplated steel or aluminium or the like. The can contains a pressurised fluid product, typically a liquid, such as an air freshener, deodorant, furniture polish, foam, mousse, gel, or the like, and the valve assembly 100 mixes a metered amount of the product to be dispensed with a suitable propellant such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, compressed air or the like. The valve assembly 100 comprises a valve body 104 having a lower portion 106 and an upper portion 108. The upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 includes a central throughbore 1 10 having a proximal end portion 1 12 and a distal end portion 1 14. The upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 includes an annular shoulder 1 1 6 extending inwardly at the distal end portion 1 14. An elongate valve member or 'stem' 1 18 is slidably moveable in the upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 and includes an outwardly extending annular shoulder 120 that abuts with the shoulder 1 1 6 of the upper portion 1 08 of the valve body 104 to limit axial movement of stem 1 1 8 in the valve body 1 04. One end of a compression spring 1 22 sits on the lower portion 106 of the valve body 104 whilst the other end of the spring 122 abuts an underside of the shoulder 1 20 of the stem 1 18. The spring 122 biases the stem 1 1 8 outwardly and towards a valve closed position, as illustrated in Figure 1 . A central wall portion of the upper cup portion 102 of the can is crimped around an outwardly extending upper shoulder 125 of the valve body 104 to securely attach the valve assembly 1 00 to the inside of the upper cup portion 1 02 of the can. An inner gasket 124, such as an O-ring or washer or the like, seals the interface between the upper portion 1 08 of the valve body 1 04 and the upper cup portion 102 of the can and also around the stem 1 18 whilst allowing the stem to axially move relative to the can 102 and the valve body 104.

The valve assembly of Figure 1 is assembled as follows. A distal end 1 17 of the stem 1 1 8 is slidably inserted through the central throughbore 1 1 0 of the upper portion 108 of the valve body 104 via the proximal end 1 12 of the throughbore 1 10. The spring 122 is then inserted into the proximal end portion 1 12 of the throughbore 1 1 0 and placed over a proximal end 1 19 of the stem 1 18 to abut the shoulder 120 of the stem 1 18. The proximal end portion 1 1 2 of the valve body 104 is then attached via a snap-fit, screw thread, or the like, connection to the lower portion 1 06 of the valve body 104 to locate the stem 1 1 8 and spring 122 in the assembled valve body 104. The inner gasket 124 is placed over the stem 1 18 to sit in an annular recess 126 in the distal end portion 1 14 of the upper portion 108 of the valve body 1 04. The stem 1 18 is then passed through a central aperture 128 in a raised boss region centrally disposed in the cup portion 102 of the can and the valve assembly 1 00 is located inside the boss region. The walls of the boss region are then crimped inwardly to securely attach the valve assembly 100 to the inside of the upper cup portion 102 of the can. A dip tube (not shown) is then attached to an inlet portion 130 of the lower portion 1 06 of the valve body 1 04 which extends towards a base of the can 102 for dispensing fluid from the bottom of the can even when the can is almost empty. An empty can body (not shown) having a base portion and a cylindrical wall portion extending upwardly therefrom is filled with product, usually in the form of a liquid, which contains all the active ingredients except for the propellant. The cup portion 102 of the can is then attached to the wall portion of the can by crimping, welding or the like, to form an assembled aerosol dispensing system. An outer gasket (not shown) may be located between the cup portion 102 and the can body to which the cup portion 1 02 is attached. The propellant is then injected under pressure through the valve assembly 1 00 via the distal end 1 1 7 of the stem 1 18. The propellant may be in the form of a liquefied gas or compressed gas or the like. If a liquefied gas is used, it will exist as both a liquid and a vapour in the head space of the aerosol can and the volume of the liquid product in the can will increase over time as the product is dispensed therefrom. If a compressed gas is used as the propellant, it will typically only be in the head space above the liquid product in the can and there will be little or no increase in liquid volume and the pressure of the propellant will decrease over time during the life of the can. The pressurised can is then leak tested.

An actuator 200, as illustrated in Figure 2, is then fitted onto the distal end 1 1 7 of the stem 1 18. A nozzle portion 202 of the actuator 200 fluidly communicates with a bore 121 of the stem 1 18 via one or more passageways 204 formed in the actuator 200. The actuator 200 therefore provides a nozzle portion 202 for dispensing fluid in a predetermined pattern from the can 102, fluidly communicates the nozzle portion 202 with the contents of the aerosol can 102 when the valve assembly 100 is in an open state and also provides a relatively large surface area for actuating the valve assembly 1 00 by pressing manually down on the actuator 200 in use.

In use, a force is applied downwardly to an outer surface 206 of the actuator 202 which in turn forces the stem 1 18 downwardly and into the valve body 1 04. This downward force overcomes a spring force of the spring 122, which otherwise biases the stem 1 18 and actuator 200 upwardly, to move the stem 1 1 8 downwardly into the valve body 104 and into a valve open position, as illustrated in Figure 3. In the valve open position, at least one product inlet aperture 310 in the side of the valve stem 1 1 8 is moved from outside and past the inner gasket 124 to be brought into fluid communication with an upper inner chamber 312 of the valve body 1 04 which is defined by the upper portion 108 of the valve body 104, the inner gasket 124 and the stem 1 18 and shoulder 1 20 thereof. The fluid inlet aperture 31 0 is about around 0.3- 1 mm in diameter depending on the type of product to be dispensed from the can.

As best shown in Figure 7, the shoulder 1 20 of the stem 1 18 includes a number of notched regions 720 each having a respective aperture 322 extending laterally into the stem 1 18 to communicate with a lower central bore 324 in the proximal end 1 1 9 of the stem 1 18. The lower central bore 324 terminates at a fluid inlet in the proximal end 1 1 9 of the stem 1 1 8 to communicate with the dip tube (not shown) attached to the inlet portion 130 of the lower portion 106 of the valve body 104. Thus, liquid product stored under pressure in the can is forced up the dip tube by the propellant, through the lower portion 1 06 of the valve body 104 and the lower bore 324 of the stem 1 18 and into the upper chamber 312 via the apertures 322 and notched regions 720 of the stem 1 18. When the stem 1 18 is in the valve open position, the fluid inlet 31 0 is located in the upper chamber 31 2 and thus liquid product is caused to enter the upper bore 121 of the stem 1 18 and exit the stem at a fluid outlet in its distal end 1 1 7. The product then enters the passageways 204 of the actuator 200 before being dispensed via the nozzle portion 202.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, the stem 1 1 8 according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a plurality of recesses 550 each extending inwardly at the distal end 1 17 of the stem 1 18. The recesses 550 are axially spaced apart along the stem 1 18 and each may comprise a continuous annular recess or groove around the stem or a number of intermittent and annularly spaced recesses (as shown). Each intermittent recess as shown in Figure 7 has a depth of about around 0.1 mm, a width of about around 0.9 mm and a curved length of about around 3mm. The stem 1 18 has a diameter of about around 2 to 4 mm and aptly about around 3.2mm. Alternatively, the stem 1 18 may comprise at least one recess or at least two recesses where one recess is an upper recess and the other recess is a lower recess which is radially offset and spaced axially from the upper recess. Each recess 550 may be substantially semi-circular in profile or have any suitable shape or profile, such as a substantially triangular or square notch formed in the wall of the stem 1 18.

As illustrated in Figure 4, a coupling member 400 in the form of a collar has an inner bore 41 0 defining an inner surface 412. A plurality of axially spaced apart annular projections 450 extend inwardly from the inner surface 412 with respect to an axis of the coupling member 400. The projections 450 are sized and spaced so as to align with the corresponding recesses 550 in the stem 1 18 such that when the coupling member 400 is placed over the distal end 1 17 of the stem 1 18, each projection 450 snaps into a respective recess 550 to securely attach the coupling member 400 to stem 1 18. As illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b, a coupling member 600 according to certain embodiments of the present invention may include an inwardly extending shoulder portion 620 to act as a stop when mounting the coupling member 600 on the distal end 1 17 of the stem 1 18 and to provide a more secure connection between the coupling member 600 and the stem 1 1 8. The annular shoulder portion 620 defines an aperture 625 to allow liquid product to flow from the stem 1 1 8 to the actuator 200 and nozzle portion 202. The aperture 625 has a diameter of about around 1 -2mm and aptly is 1 .1 mm in diameter. The coupling member 600 also includes the spaced apart and intermittent projections 650 for connecting with the corresponding recesses 550 in the stem 1 18.

The coupling member 400, 600 according to certain embodiments of the present invention may include a single annular projection or a plurality of intermittent radially spaced projections arranged around substantially the same cross section of the coupling member. Alternatively, the at least one projection may comprise a plurality of intermittently spaced projections arranged around the inner surface of the coupling member in a spiral arrangement. Further alternatively, the coupling member and stem may each comprise corresponding screw threads. An alternative embodiment of the present invention may provide a coupling member having at least one barb- like projection which cooperates with at least one corresponding recess in the stem to allow the coupling member to be slideably mounted onto the stem whilst preventing the coupling member being removed from the stem. Two or more axially spaced projections and corresponding recesses helps further provide a stable and secure connection between the coupling member, and in turn the actuator, and the stem.

The actuator 200 includes at least one projection 250 in a central bore portion 210 of the actuator 200 which defines a section of the passageway 204 for fluidly communicating the stem 1 18 with the nozzle portion 202 of the actuator 200. The projection 250 snaps into a corresponding recess or aperture 660 in the side of the coupling member 600, as illustrated in Figure 6. The recess or aperture 660 has a diameter of about around 0.5mm and a depth of about around 0.1 mm. The corresponding projection of the actuator 200 is sized accordingly to cooperate with the recess or aperture 660 in the coupling member. The actuator 200 is thus securely attachable to the coupling member 400, 600.

Certain alternative embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member having one or more recesses and a stem having one or more corresponding projections. Likewise, certain alternative embodiments of the present invention may provide an actuator having one or more recesses in a central bore portion 21 0 and the coupling member 400, 600 may include one or more corresponding projections that cooperate with the one or more recesses of the actuator to securely attach the actuator to the coupling member and in turn lock the actuator with respect to the stem. Further alternatively, certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member having a tapered outer surface that cooperates with a correspondingly tapered inner surface of the actuator such that when the actuator is placed on the coupling member, the coupling member snaps into the tapered inner surface of the actuator and is prevented from being removed from the coupling member in view of the barb-like connecting interface between the two components, i.e. the actuator is locked with respect to the stem via the coupling member. Further alternatively, certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an actuator comprising at least one projection for locking the actuator directly to the stem of a valve assembly. For example, the at least one projection may comprise a barb or tooth-like annular element that bites into a relatively soft outer surface of the stem when the actuator is mounted onto the stem thereby preventing the actuator from being removed from the stem. The at least one projection may comprise a plurality of spaced apart projections and/or may be continuous or intermittently arranged around an inner surface of the actuator engagable with the stem.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an outer surface of the coupling member 400, 600 and an inner surface of the central bore portion 210 of the actuator 200 may be complementarily shaped such that only that type/form of actuator can be securely attached to the coupling member 400, 600 and in turn the stem 1 18. For example, the outer surface of the coupling member 400, 600 and the central bore portion 21 0 may be a substantially similar diameter in cross section or substantially hexagonal, or the like. The coupling member 400, 600 may comprise a substantially cylindrical outer surface having a flat portion to act as a key for engagement with a corresponding flat inner surface portion of the actuator 200. Such an arrangement allows a certain type or make of actuator to be used with a certain fluid dispensing device and prevents other types of actuator being used with a particular fluid dispensing device and/or different fluid dispensing devices being used with a certain actuator.

The valve body 106, 108, stem 1 18, actuator 200 and/or coupling member 400, 600 may be any suitable material such as a plastics or metal material.

During assembly of the aerosol can, the coupling member 400, 600 is inserted into and securely attached to the actuator 200 via the at least one projection 250 and corresponding recess or aperture 660 in the coupling member 400, 600. When the coupling member 400, 600 is inserted into the actuator 200, the projection of the actuator aligns with and snaps into the corresponding recess or aperture 660 in the coupling member 400, 600. A form of adhesive may optionally also be used to further secure the coupling member to the actuator. The actuator 200 and coupling member 400, 600 are then placed over the stem 1 18 and a downward force applied to the actuator 200 aligns and snaps the projections 450, 650 of the coupling member into the corresponding recesses 550 of the stem 1 18 to securely lock the coupling member 400, 600, and in turn the actuator 200, to the valve stem 1 18. Again, a form of adhesive may optionally also be used to further secure the coupling member to the stem. A valve assembly 800 according to certain embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8 which includes the coupling member 600 as shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The valve assembly 800 as illustrated in Figure 8 has a longer valve body comprising the interconnecting lower body portion 806 and upper body portion 808 which house a relatively long stem 818 and compression spring 822. The lower body portion 806 includes the product inlet 830 for attaching to a dib tube. The upper body portion 808 provides a recess for locating the inner gasket 824 for sealing between the valve assembly 800 and a cup portion of an aerosol can. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a coupling member for securely locking an actuator with respect to an aerosol valve stem to prevent the actuator being accidentally or maliciously removed from an aerosol can or automatic dispensing device, and more particularly from the stem thereof. Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent liquid product contained in the can from being maliciously tampered with, removed or refilled and also prevents a different actuator being used on a particular aerosol can or automatic dispensing device. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention may prevent different and potentially incorrect product containers being erroneously or maliciously used with a particular type of actuator. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide an aerosol can or other dispensing device that includes an actuator/nozzle component which is securely attached to the valve assembly of the device to prevent the same being accidentally knocked off the device during transit, storage, use, or the like and eliminates the risk of children or pets swallowing a relatively small actuator/nozzle component which could otherwise be fatal. If an actuator of a valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention is accidentally or maliciously forced away from the stem of the valve assembly, the stem and/or actuator may snap and fail irrevocably rendering the aerosol device useless and thus preventing a different actuator being used with the device or the product container, e.g. can, of the device being used with the same or another actuator. The stem will also be damaged preventing its reuse and/or product contained in the device being removed, refilled or tampered with. The stem of a valve assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention may include one or more frangible regions to allow the stem to fail or fracture when a predetermined force is applied to the actuator and/or stem. Such a frangible region may include one or more fine annular recesses, regions of reduced thickness, die- cuts or the like in the wall of the stem which does not compromise the integrity of the stem during normal use and allows a substantially axial force to be applied to the stem via the actuator without failing when product is to be dispensed from the aerosol device, whilst allowing the stem to at least partially fracture when a predetermined shear force is applied to the stem and/or actuator during abnormal use. Alternatively, the one or more recesses in the stem may provide a frangible portion to allow the stem to fracture when an excessive shear force is applied to the actuator or stem.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to any details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . Apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking element comprises a coupling member having an inner surface for receiving a fluid outlet end portion of the valve member and an outer surface engagable with an inner surface of the fluid dispensing member.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner surface of the coupling member comprises at least one projection that is received by at least one recess in an outer surface of said valve member to attach the coupling member to said valve member.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one projection comprises at least one continuous annular projection that corresponds with at least one continuous annular recess of the valve member or a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent recesses in the valve member.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one projection comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent projections that correspond with a plurality of radially spaced apart intermittent recesses of the valve member or at least one continuous annular recess in the valve member.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one projection comprises a plurality of axially spaced apart projections that correspond to a plurality of axially spaced apart recesses in the valve member.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of axially spaced apart projections comprise a plurality of radially spaced intermittent projections that correspond with a plurality of radially spaced intermittent recesses in the valve member.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of axially spaced apart projections comprise four projections each radially spaced apart from one another by ninety degrees that correspond with a plurality of correspondingly arranged recesses in the valve member.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the at least one projection of the coupling member comprises a substantially curved outer surface to correspondingly engage with a complementarily shaped inner surface of the at least one recess in the valve member.

10. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the at least one projection has a height from the inner surface of the collar of about around 0.1 to 5 mm and a width of about around 0.1 to 5 mm.

1 1 . The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 1 0, wherein the at least one recess has a depth from the outer surface of the valve member of about around 0.1 to 5 mm and a width of about around 0.1 to 5 mm.

12. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 1 1 , wherein the coupling member comprises at least one recess or aperture in the outer surface that receives at least one projection extending from the inner surface of the fluid dispensing member to lock the fluid dispensing member to the coupling member.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one recess has a diameter of about around 0.5mm and a depth of about around 0.1 mm.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 13, wherein the coupling member comprises an inwardly extending flange portion that abuts the fluid outlet end portion of the valve member when the coupling member is mounted on and connected to said valve member.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inwardly extending flange portion comprises an aperture to fluidly communicate the fluid outlet of the valve member with the fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member.

16. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 15, wherein the coupling member comprises a collar.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid dispensing member comprises the at least one locking element.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one locking element comprises at least one projection extending from an inner surface of the elongate valve member.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fluid dispensing member comprises an inner bore that receives a fluid outlet end portion of the elongate valve member, and the at least one projection extends from an inner surface of the inner bore.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 9, wherein the at least one projection comprises a barb-like portion that bites into the fluid outlet end portion to allow the valve member to be received into the fluid dispensing member whilst preventing the fluid dispensing member from being removed from the valve member.

21 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the valve member comprises one or more recesses extending into an outer surface of the valve member for the at least one projection to correspondingly lock into to connect the fluid dispensing member to the valve member.

22. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate valve member is substantially cylindrical.

23. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a nozzle that comprises the fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member for dispensing fluid towards a target location.

24. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an actuator for moving the valve member in a valve body between a valve closed position and a valve open position.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fluid dispensing member comprises the actuator.

26. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the valve member, locking element and fluid dispensing member comprise a plastics material.

27. A valve assembly for a fluid dispensing device, comprising the apparatus as claimed in any one or more of claims 1 to 26.

28. An aerosol fluid dispensing device comprising the valve assembly as claimed in claim 27.

29. An elongate valve member for a fluid dispensing valve assembly, comprising:

a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet locatable in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; and

30. A locking element for a fluid dispensing valve assembly, comprising:

31 . A method of manufacturing an apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising:

32. The method as claimed in claim 31 , further comprising:

mounting a coupling member over a fluid outlet end portion of the valve member, wherein the coupling member comprises an inner surface for receiving the fluid outlet end portion of the valve member and an outer surface engagable with an inner surface of the fluid dispensing member.

33. The method as claimed in claim 32, further comprising:

engaging at least one projection that extends from the inner surface of said coupling member into at least one recess in an outer surface of said valve member to lock the coupling member to said valve member.

34. Use of at least one locking element to lock a fluid dispensing member with respect to an elongate valve member wherein a fluid exit port of the fluid dispensing member is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the valve member.